Irish Examiner View: Micheál Martin will have to be both fair-minded and fierce

Like Jack Lynch 50 years ago, the Taoiseach has faced down a storm in his cabinet — but their similarities ought to end there

Then taoiseach Jack Lynch meeting Old IRA veterans in March 1970 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first armed attack on the RIC since the 1916 Rising, between Ballingeary and Ballyvourney in Co Cork. 

Within days of Micheál Martin being elected Taoiseach, it became clear that he was not going to enjoy the honeymoon period often associated with the immediate aftermath of attaining high office. 

With the sacking of Barry Cowen, he has just had his first political divorce and, judging from the former minister’s reaction, it is not an agreeable parting.