Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

quite the character

Quite a few of us would like to see 'a character like Charles Haughey' as Taoiseach

Arise and follow, etc.

Aidan Gillen Niall Carson / PA Niall Carson / PA / PA

NINE YEARS AFTER his death, a new opinion poll has found that some fifteen per cent of voters would support “a character like” Charlie Haughey as Taoiseach.

The figure is contained in the latest Red C survey, carried out in conjunction with Paddy Power.

Although the number might appear surprisingly high — a closer look at the breakdown of the stats perhaps sheds a little more light on the finding.

1,002 adults were surveyed by the polling company this week, on both landlines and mobile phones. The question…

Recently RTE has been airing a TV programme about the former Taoiseach Charles Haughey. Based on what you know, would you like to see a character like Charles Haughey as Taoiseach if he were alive today?

23 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds said ‘yes’ to that query — with the figure dropping only slightly among 25- to 34-year-olds.

In other words, although people might be developing a sneaking regard for Aidan Gillen’s portrayal of the ex-Fianna Fáil leader — the more likely you are to remember living through the Haughey era, the less likely you are to support a Haughey-like Taoiseach.

For instance, approval drops to just one-in-ten amongst those aged 65-plus (ingrates… Does the free travel pass count for nothing?).

Polling figures for Tommy Carcetti and John Boy Power weren’t available at the time of publication (you’re welcome, Gillen fans).

Charles Haughey and Stephen Roche The actual Charles Haughey, alongside Ireland's Tour de France winner Stephen Roche in 1987. Michel Lipchitz Michel Lipchitz

Read: Fianna Fáil TD thinks Charlie is ‘dreadfully unfair’

Read: Mary O’Rourke was ‘a bit troubled’ by Charlie’s depiction of Brian Lenihan

Your Voice
Readers Comments
53
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.