AS WE CONTINUE to catch up with some of Ireland’s newest TDs on their experiences so far, this time around we hear from one who has had a more explosive entry into political life than most.

Independent TD Barry Heneghan’s name was quick to gain national prominence, not alone because his victory in Dublin Bay North was largely unexpected but also due to his decision to support the government as part of the Regional Independents.

At 26 years of age, Heneghan was not long finished his master’s degree in sustainable energy systems when he successfully ran in last year’s local and then general election.

From the beginning, he has been open about the fact former minister of state Finian McGrath has been a mentor — a photo of McGrath was even included in Heneghan’s election leaflets. 

Having run on a platform of “practical progressive policies” he faced heavy criticism online for some of his decisions after becoming a TD.

Heneghan spoke to The Journal about his decision to support the parties in government, the criticism of his relationship with Michael Lowry, and the lessons he has learned so far.

Is life as a TD what you expected?

“Listen, I knew being a TD was going to be demanding. And in reality, it can be pretty intense and long hours, especially because I don’t have a work phone.

“So I’m always available, and I always want to be available,” Heneghan said.

“I think it’s very important for you to be accessible. If someone rings me at any time, they will get through to me or my answering machine. And I always do ring back.”

Since entering Leinster House, Heneghan has courted his fair share of controversy.

He was criticised by fellow TDs and by some online for his role in the speaking rights row and his willingness to work with Independent TD Michael Lowry as part of the Regional Independents technical group.

As a self-declared “left-wing” politician, Heneghan was also heavily criticised for choosing to nominate controversial senator Sharon Keogan for reelection to the Seanad. 

Asked if he would do anything differently if given a second opportunity, Heneghan said:

“One of the biggest things that my eyes have been open to is social media and real life are two different things. You can get a lot of slack on social media, but when you walk around your constituency, when you knock on doors, that’s what really matters.” 

Heneghan admitted that he did get “a few emails” over his nomination of Keogan. 

“There’s a reason she tops the poll, she helps Independent councillors. She helped me help people, so I nominated her. She works hard.

“Now I don’t agree with some of her policies, I think it’s clear from what I’ve stood up for and fought for in the Dáil, but I do agree with her work rate,” Heneghan said. 

On his relationship with Michael Lowry, Heneghan said his “only loyalty” is to his constituents in Dublin Bay North.

“As I’ve continuously said, my support of the government is all about delivering for North Dublin,” Heneghan said. 

He added: “Obviously, I could have done without being in a certain photo here or there, but listen, you live and you learn.”

Asked if this was a reference to the video, and then screenshot, of Michael Lowry giving two fingers to fellow TD Paul Murphy in the Dáil chamber, where Heneghan is seen standing beside him, Heneghan said it was. 

“A photo can mislead people. If you looked at the full video it’s very clear that I didn’t see the two fingers. I was getting intimidated by someone who had continuously attacked me online, and I said, ‘Hi Paul’, and waved at him.

“I always say hi to people who try intimidate me because I’m here to fight for Dublin Bay North. If he wants to try intimidate me and push me to make me less impactful, he has another thing coming,” Heneghan said.

A screenshot from the now infamous two fingers video. Paul Murphy's X Paul Murphy's X

Following that incident, Heneghan moved seats in the Dáil away from Lowry and his mentor Finian McGrath told the Irish Independent that Paul Murphy was a “pain in the ass” and should have received a harder time for using his phone to film in the chamber.

Asked if he shares McGrath’s view about Murphy being a “pain in the ass”, Heneghan said he thinks every side of the political spectrum should be represented in the Dáil and that he doesn’t have an issue with Paul Murphy personally. 

“I say hello to him, I’d chat to him and he does say hello back, I think he’s a respectful TD,” Heneghan said. 

In that same interview, McGrath said it was a “major cock up” to let Michael Lowry lead the Regional Independents during government formation talks. Asked if he shares this view, Heneghan rejected the notion that Lowry was the leader. 

“Finian wasn’t there, I was,” Heneghan said. 

It was put to Heneghan that Lowry was the one to represent the group any time they appeared on the plinth, and the other members of the group appeared happy with this at the time.

“If I was the main person, I wouldn’t have made that decision,” Heneghan said. 

When asked what decision he was referring to, Heneghan said: “It’s funny how the situation was portrayed by the media” and maintained that Lowry was never the group’s leader. 

Does that mean Finian McGrath was wrong to say what he said then? 

“I can definitely understand how publicly it would not look good, yes,” Heneghan responded. 

When asked how his relationship with Michael Lowry is now, Heneghan said: 

“I’m focused on delivering for North Dublin.”

He added: 

“I’m an Independent TD, I don’t come here to get distracted by all these spins. I work in a technical group supporting the government.

“And I think if you ask the people of Tipperary about Michael Lowry, they’ll tell you what they think, but he wouldn’t have been known to me before I went into politics.”

When asked if he finds it frustrating that Finian McGrath has spoken on his behalf so many times, Heneghan said he does not and that he would not be where he is without him. 

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“We speak on the phone nearly every day,” Heneghan said.

Peak and pit 

What has been the highlight of being a TD so far? 

“Without question, it’s getting results,” Heneghan said. 

He pointed to investment in A&E Beaumont Hospital as well as the government’s recent strategy statement on “private wires” as wins delivered by him.

This narrative has previously been pushed back on by Taoiseach Micheál Martin who has said the Beaumont Hospital investment was already “on track” and denied that any specific deals were cut with Regional Independent TDs in return for their support.

Another highlight for Heneghan has been canvassing in the constituency and being able to be a “role model” for kids in his constituency. 

Any lowlights? 

“Going from a councillor to a TD, you obviously are more recognisable. You’re representing an entire constituency, there’s going to be percentages of the constituency who wouldn’t agree with your decisions. But as I said earlier, I’ll always meet people for coffees, even if they’ve sent me a vicious email or if I knock on a door and someone just slams it,” Heneghan said. 

“The low light is when you can’t speak to someone, and when they just don’t even look at you. I don’t really like that.”

Henghan added that another low point is the slow pace of change within the political system. 

Other TDs The Journal spoke to for this series pointed to the speaking rights row that dominated the beginning of this Dáil term as a low light, would Heneghan count it as one? 

“In my opinion, we were really, really slow in getting that resolved.

“On the speaking rights row, wasn’t everyone at the time saying I was a government TD? And then I voted against the government. So can they not see the hypocrisy there, that they were going crazy at me saying that ‘I’ll be with the government every way’, and then I voted against them, you know?”

Any surprises since becoming a TD?  

“I suppose the lifestyle and going to events constantly. I wouldn’t be as active as I once was, I put on a bit of a Ned Kelly for the first few months but I’m doing the Dublin Marathon raising money for the IWA [in a couple of months].

“So I’m looking forward to that challenge, and I’ll definitely be more active.” 

Heneghan added that as a young TD he often gets underestimated. 

“But being younger obviously brings more energy, you haven’t really been told no as often as other public representatives.

“And I am able to speak up for a generation and people are always happy to see me speak up.”