In this episode of the #MooneyOnPolitics podcast, Derek chats with Jamie Mac Giolla Bháin about his book on the remarkable events of Oct 1976, sometimes known as the #ThunderingDisgrace #crisis
Jamie’s book will be published next week, to coincide with the 50th anniversary. The saga started with the killing of the British Ambassador in Dublin. The then Fine Gael / Labour Party government responded with emergency powers legislation, which the then Irish President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, a former senior lawyer and judge, decided to refer to the Irish Supreme Court, to test its constitutionality. This is a presidential prerogative.
The Irish government, particularly the Taoiseach, was deeply irritated by his actions. On the night the President signed the legislation into law, after the Supreme Court ruled the Act was constitutional, the provisional IRA murdered a young garda, named Michael Clerkin.
Jamie is a relation of Garda Clerkin. Two days after the killing of Garda Clerkin, the Irish Defence Minister, Paddy Donegan, delivered a speech criticising the Irish President, while at an army barracks. He called the President’s actions in referring the legislation a “thundering disgrace”.
The minister subsequently apologised for his comments, but the Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave refused his resignation, though his comments had been made to an audience of defence personnel whose commander-in-chief was the president.

In this episode of Mooney on Politics, Derek Mooney speaks to Wexford councillor, Michael Sheehan about his decision to leave Fianna Fáil after 25 years and to join Independent Ireland.

They discuss Michael’s political career, his new role as Independent Ireland’s spokesperson on finance and enterprise and the challenges of operating outside the Oireachtas.

With the Budget less than a week away the conversation also examines the cost of living, government spending, USC, inheritance tax, housing, food and energy prices, and what Michael expects from the forthcoming Budget. They look ahead to the 2029 general election and Independent Ireland’s ambition to expand nationally... and Michael's experience of working in American politics.

President Donald Trump's comments on backing Unity have turbo-charged the debate, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin's desire to slow that discussion down (while having a go at Sinn Féin) has resulted in the Scottish and Welsh First Ministers becoming Dublin's collateral damage. Not his finest hour.