Being closely related to an elected official can sometimes prove counterproductive, writes CARL O'BRIEN
THE ELECTORAL backlash against the Government has claimed members of some of Fianna Fáil’s most high-profile political dynasties.
One of the most dramatic defeats was in former taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s stronghold of north Dublin, where the Ahern name has been transformed from an asset to a liability. His older brother Maurice suffered the double blow of a byelection loss and a local election defeat.
The byelection defeat was anticipated, but the scale of defeat in the Cabra-Glasnevin ward in the local election took virtually everyone by surprise.
In a pointed affront to the Ahern lineage, voters flocked to Ahern’s running mate and party rival Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick, who topped the poll with 18 per cent of first-preference votes.
In Cork, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe saw their kin fail to win seats. Mr Martin’s twin brother Pádraig lost out on a seat in the Carrigaline ward, although his other brother Seán managed to hold his city council seat.
Batt O’Keeffe saw the family lose a seat on the council for the first time in more than 25 years. His son, Mark O’Keeffe, failed to take the final seat in Macroom. Also in Cork, former Government TD John O’Dennehy saw his son Fergal lose his seat on the city council.
On the northside of the river, Cllr Damian Wallace, former lord mayor and son of former Government minister Dan Wallace, lost his seat.
It was notable that some of the few Fianna Fáil dynasties which flourished over the weekend were those with a strained relationship with the hierarchy.
In Kilkenny, son of rebel Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness reversed the backlash against the party by topping the poll.
In north Cork, Ned O’Keeffe TD – a strident critic of the Government’s handling of the medical card issue and the toxic assets agency – saw his son easily hold his county council seat.
Rachel Doherty, daughter of former Fianna Fáil minister for justice Seán Doherty in Roscommon, won a local seat.
The success of the Taoiseach’s brother Barry Cowen – who topped the poll in Tullamore – will have brought a little badly needed cheer to the Cowen household over the weekend.
It was a bad day, though, for most burgeoning Fianna Fáil family dynasties.
Fianna Fáil deputy Seán Ardagh’s son and daughter were both unsuccessful. Catherine Ardagh polled well behind the main field in Dublin’s south inner city, while Charlie Ardagh lost out in Crumlin-Kimmage.
Local election hopeful Ronan Callelly, son of Fianna Fáil TD Ivor Callelly, took just 7 per cent of first-preference votes in Clontarf. Garrett Tubridy, brother of RTÉ presenter Ryan and part of the Andrews family gene pool, also failed to benefit from any name recognition.
Sarah Ryan, daughter of Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan, polled poorly in the southeast inner city. Eoin Ryan was waiting last night to see whether he would hold his European seat.
While Shay Brennan – son of late TD Séamus Brennan – failed to take a seat in the Dublin South byelection, the lineage continues. His sister Aoife took a local election seat in Dundrum.