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“NOTHING IS ON the level. Everything is a deal. No deal is too small.” This is the mantra of long-time Boston Herald columnist and radio talk show host, Howie Carr, about how the “people’s business” has often been conducted by elected officials in the back rooms and corridors of power in my hometown.
Regrettably, even though Carr exaggerates the degree to which there is a culture of endemic dishonesty, he has a point. It’s debatable as to whether what might be termed “the bad old days” in Massachusetts politics are actually history or not, but growing up in this milieu definitely left lots of us jaded.
Positions within the judicial branch – from judge down to court officer – were occasionally purchased and routinely handed out to the politically connected. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was labelled “Mr Bulger’s Transportation Authority” – so often did supporters of William Bulger, President of the State Senate for decades, wind up on the MBTA payroll.
My great-uncle Frank Kelly, who was a Boston City Councillor and Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, once lamented to my father that the next generation of politicians was so stupid that they were happy to take cheques as donations instead of insisting upon cold, hard cash.
There is no denying that my background, together with the dodgy dealings I know transpired in Boston and its environs factored into my reflexive dismissal of the controversy that has lately surrounded the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, regarding his election campaigns in 2016 and 2020. While his foes have asserted, not without justification, that the rules are the rules and no one is above the law, the quantity of money involved here is objectively trivial in the grand scheme of things. The Ireland of 2023 ain’t the Boston of yesteryear.
Donohoe’s integrity, work ethic and commitment to serving his constituency and his country are attested to by virtually all acquainted with the man.
He earned a scholarship to Trinity College and abandoned a successful business career in the United Kingdom to return to Dublin and enter politics. Uncharacteristically for someone who is usually articulate and detail-oriented, he did not handle what swiftly became “Postergate” well. The slow drip of revelations with respect to 2016 and then 2020 fed a mini-frenzy in the media and emboldened his opponents to (almost) go for the jugular.
Ultimately, it looks as if Donohoe has done enough to survive politically, notwithstanding some tarnishing – how much depends on one’s viewpoint – of his heretofore unblemished reputation. Part of why he lives to fight another day is that a good-sized chunk of the population paying attention took note of what Sinn Féin and others alleged was a scandal and concluded that it was small potatoes. It’s obviously anecdotal, yet that’s what those who raised the topic in conversation with me said unanimously. They also cited the reality that Sinn Féin’s hands aren’t entirely clean on this front.
On Twitter, however, fury was palpable and pervasive. Charges of “cronyism” and “corruption” abounded. “A fascinating insight into how the Irish establishment has always worked” was another claim. Numerous attempts were made to tie the misguided efforts of businessman Michael Stone and his associates to hang posters touting the candidacy of Donohoe, his friend, to millions in government contracts awarded to the proud north inner city native’s firms with absolutely no proof.
A tweet I sent expressing bewilderment at “Postergate” fever and endeavouring to contextualise the wrongdoing engendered a litany of quite vicious personal attacks.
Twitter, of course, is not representative of where the broader citizenry is on any subject. But neither do the sentiments I heard from the primarily comfortable, middle-class people about recent events encapsulate the totality of public opinion on the culpability of Paschal Donohoe.
The truth is that there is a tremendous amount of deep-seated anger out there that is boiling over. This hostility is driven by a range of issues and it is emanating from divergent places.
At rallies near to where refugees and protection seekers are being housed temporarily, throngs of irate locals and far right agitators from elsewhere chant provocative slogans, such as “Get them out!” These can be heard loud and clear by newly arrived individuals and families fleeing a variety of difficult circumstances.
Thousands packed the streets of Limerick last weekend – other gatherings and marches were held in Galway, Letterkenny, Tralee and more – to convey a collective sense of outrage at the excessively crowded hospitals and myriad further problems in the health service.
And the prohibitively high cost and very short supply of housing continue to incense young, and not so young, renters hoping and praying that they can get on the property ladder. A Red C poll for Virgin Media News shows that 9 in 10 of this cohort are afraid that they will never own their own home and a significant percentage are considering emigrating as a consequence.
The widespread anger on housing, health and immigration is of varying legitimacy and is emerging from across the ideological spectrum: right, left and centre. Increasingly, it is being directed at politicians and government parties in particular. When a minister like Paschal Donohoe is perceived to flout the law that he decrees everyone else must obey, no matter how long ago or the extent of the transgression, resentment is only heightened.
Sinn Féin has been the main beneficiary of the discontent to date. Nonetheless, as has been unearthed during the past several days, the party has also made a series of missteps when it comes to electoral expenses. This will not sit well with the cadre of voters intending to vote Sinn Féin the next chance they get because Mary Lou McDonald and Co have argued persuasively that they will be change agents and depart radically from what they call the failed policies of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Some will brand Sinn Féin’s prominent TDs, who have led the onslaught against Donohoe, hypocrites.
Additionally, to its credit, Sinn Féin has repudiated the xenophobia and racism that animates many on the far right who see the worry precipitated by this country’s accepting tens of thousands in the midst of pre-existing health and housing crises as an opportunity. But speaking politically, it has alienated a portion of its working class base in doing so. A big group of them congregated at the Finglas constituency office of party stalwart, Dessie Ellis TD, chanting “out, out, out” and brandishing tricolours.
In sum, a substantial and diverse cross-section of the Irish people is mad as hell at the moment. Politicians of all stripes have to determine how best to engage with, address and assuage anger. That won’t be easy.
I’ve always believed that hope and fear are the two strongest emotions in politics. Anger is a close third. The local and European elections are not until 2024; a general election mightn’t happen before early 2025. Anger could be a decisive element in these contests.
That the – to repeat, objectively trivial – mistakes made by Paschal Donohoe have inflamed passions in some quarters and have dominated discourse suggests that politicians have a tiny margin of error in the months ahead. Plenty of voters, for an array of reasons, cannot wait to stand in judgment.
Larry Donnelly is a Boston lawyer, a Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and a political columnist with TheJournal.ie.
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How many people are using the train from Howth versus coming from all the way down the East Coast from Drogheda? I can’t see Howth residents winning this. Nor should they really……
They’re not being cut off, they’re just being asked to join the main line. And if it increases the number of trains surely that’s a good thing overall?
@Tricia G: yeah it’s probably the sensible change.It won’t be without issues though. Irish rail/gardai will probably have to address howth junction station. It’s like a ghetto at the best of times. And the howth train is brimming with tourists daily (1000s on the weekends) who will need changover here. It’s also a busy enough commute but I dont know the numbers exactly.Then there will be the knock on effect of traffic on the Dublin road with people deciding not to take train. And also parking in howth (which is currently free) if people find it more hassle too get train. There is also a massive apartment complex being built beside howth station. Bound to increase demand.
I can understand why they are complaining. Most people don’t want to be inconvenienced but it happens I guess.
@Tricia G: it’s looks like that the entire area from Lusk to Drogheda will become a huge Dublin suburb. There’s a lot of housing developments in Lusk, Rush, Skerries, Balbriggan, Laytown, Bettystown and Morington. The DART will encourage even more developments.
@Tricia G: many people may have bought a house in Howth because of the DART line. Why not just do both, there are already separate DARTS to Howth and Malahide. Start building a proper public network around the city and into the suburbs not along the coast.
@Tipper Irie: because we haven’t built any new rail since the Brits were here as far as I know and wont have any for a long time. DART+ will just be using the existing lines which are already congested, it’s not as simple as just putting more direct trains from Howth.
@Tipper Irie: Only so many trains can operate at a time. MAYBE yes, one “express” train an hour perhaps with all others requiring a change but implementation and timing is challenging.
@Paul Furey: I’d argue they’re already part of the “Dublin suburb” and a better public transport system is required to reduce the numbers currently forced to drive.
@Tipper Irie: more efficient logistically doing it with the shuttle train…… Inconvenient for the people from Howth line who won’t be virtually guaranteed a seat
@Colm Kane: As someone who used to commute on a train from the first stop so I always got a seat, this is the bit I’d be raging about.
That would suck, to go from always getting a seat to having to stand because you’re joining halfway down the line.
@Paul Furey: They have all been surburbs for years!
@Colm Kane: Everyone is changing trains the shuttles run from Howth Junction to the city!
@Tricia G: as someone from Howth who depends on the dart daily I think it’s a disgrace! Why should we have to change over? There just needs to be an increased frequency and capacity over all!
And to answer your comment about how many people use the service, it’s a hell of a lot and would have a much greater impact on our local economy than drogheda
@James Moore: you should have to change because in doing this it makes the dart a better service for way more people than live in howth while only inconveniencing you a little
@eoin fitzpatrick: it’s not just inconveniencing me it’s 100s of local passengers per day not to mention the amount of tourists who come out to Howth. Also there is only one road in and out of Howth and the traffic is already bad and making people change darts will only encourage the people affected by this proposed change to drive therefore making the traffic worse! The people who live on the train line have much more options in terms of different routes they can take if forced to drive than those of us on the proposed affected side
@James Moore: it’s not just about Drogheda though, is it? It’s about a population more than 5 times bigger, possibly 10, actually getting a service that works. So a hell of a lot more. Howth will still have a service, and a far better one than up the coast at the moment. So cut the selfish moaning, and look at the bigger picture.
Honestly we need to do whatever works best for the greater amount of people. If people from Howth have to change big deal. We can’t have a few moaners bring the quality of services down overall. This kind of stuff is what holds this country’s infrastructure back.
@eoin fitzpatrick: it won’t bring the quality of the service down to keep both tracks running to the city directly if they increase the capacity and frequency of trains! Everywhere is experiencing development and issues with public transport so it is madness to suggest to ask a sizeable amount of commuters to change and make their commute even longer! The train is packed from bayside onwards
@James Moore: they can’t do this as the line is already too congested
@eoin fitzpatrick: exactly this. “sacrificed for Drogheda” – such hysterical hyperbole.
If you are a resident in Howth, Sutton, Baldoyle, or surrounding areas, or even travelling that general direction, there are 3 level crossings in very close proximity. Unless trains can fly, the extra capacity and frequency will cause massive traffic jams at level crossings, which will have a severe impact on school runs or shopping. It will also kill a struggling tourist market in Howth. Myopic planning proposal, in my opinion.
@B2dL Me/You: true. Fair point.
@B2dL Me/You: They are closing the level crossings!
@B2dL Me/You: well said. Traffic is already really bad when the gates are down at the moment, so their proposal will mean gates will be down for 30 mins of every hour. Can you imagine the tailbacks which will affect those trying to get to Sutton and Howth and those trying to get to the Airport/ M50. Not alone that but extra capacity will be needed due to the hundreds of apartments they’re building. There has to be a better alternative (perhaps reduce the number of darts from Howth / to Howth, but make them express). They are trying to make public transport attractive to all, this proposal certainly defeats that. It’s so Irish, keep on building out in the suburbs but don’t build any new infrastructure to support it.
After moving from Bayside to Rush last year I can honestly say that I don’t believe this is a great idea. The Dart is rammed at rush hour from Bayside onwards. I have yet to get on a busier train from Rush. And absolutely nobody lives near the Rush & Lusk station, it’s bizarre.
@Jen Mc: pretty sure there will be a lot more trains running so that might help congestion
@eoin fitzpatrick: would you want to have change trains? I wouldn’t, especially in winter. Considering they don’t even match up the bus and train out in Rush, I can’t see this being a case where you step off the train at Howth Junction and catch a train to town straight away.
@Jen Mc: if only there was a solution to having crowded trains….I dunno maybe increase frequency and capacity …oh wait that’s what being proposed ?? And some people don’t think it’s a good idea to add more trains double capacity and more frequent services ……because the existing services are too full ?
Hmmm…
@Jen Mc: Rush&Lusk is hardly typical of the entire line. Nor is linking train/bus timetables particularly relevant to coordinating trains with each other. It’s desperately needed further north, and cocooned Howth-dwellers need to wake up and smell the coffee.
Howth Junction/ kilbarrack was always a hub of anti social behaviour. Now add thousands of visitors/ normal travellers to Baldoyle, Bayside, Sutton and Howth. The beach at Sutton and Howth are literally packed when the sun comes out. From May to September, burrow Road is like a pedestrian area and cars are backed up from Clontarf up to Howth on the coast road. Guards have trouble keeping peace in Sutton and Howth and now all these 1000′s of additional passengers will have to stand at Howth Junction together. Initially they proposed a bus from Howth Junction and now a feeder train.
Massive immigration is fueling the need for more trains, schools, hospitals etc.. Population in Ireland went up by 90,000 last year alone. Metro Boston, MA has added about 1M more people in the past 30 years. Cramming people into small spaces is not a great strategy.
@Paulco: cramming people into small spaces actually is a great strategy compared to spreading people out in urban sprawl
@Paulco: 90,000 is an anomaly, if you look at Ireland’s 30 year pattern. And really it’s an underpopulated country. People have just got very used to space for increased urban sprawl, without proper increase in infrastructure. So now both issues need to be tackled.
Eamonn Ryan keeps going on about using public transport yet the Dart does not operate before 0900 on a Sunday.
If the new proposals to change at Howth Junction dont guarantee a seat maybe its time to start driving instead. Also the journey time is longer and more inconvenient
And yet still no Dart to Balbriggan! Only the south side gets it all the way to Greystones!!
Why not keep the current system, add a track, do direct Dublin to Drogheda and back peak hours and a slow one with more stops including one to change onto the Howth Dublin line.
@Colm Molloy: because that bypasses all the other places that need a proper service, perhaps?
I see Eoin Fitzpatrick wants to live in a glorified Ballymun tower where kids have no green space and live 14 stories up in the air. No wonder couples aren’t having as many kids anymore.
@Paulco: much of the world live in apartment towers not everyone is afraid of having neighbours. if you’re concerned with lack of green spaces, dense living in 14 stories is what you should be promoting. If everyone in dense cities were to move into sprawled out suburbs and one offs it would take up far more space and leave less areas green. pretty straightforward.
@Paulco: not all high-rise is the same as Ballymun, which seems to be thrown out as a hysterical buzzword whenever such plans are suggested. The error there was building a ready-made ghetto.
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