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.

PJ Mara Photocall Ireland

Mara on Haughey drama: "I'm sure RTÉ will be, as usual, even handed and balanced"

“RTÉ are legendary for that,” the former Fianna Fáil spindoctor said. In an entirely genuine tone of voice.

FORMER FIANNA FÁIL press advisor PJ Mara says he’s “amazed” that there’s still a public appetite for stories about Charlie Haughey, decades after the divisive politician stepped down as Taoiseach.

Speaking to Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning, the veteran PR expert said it was “extraordinary” that the fascination had remained.

Mara’s role in the three part TV drama will be played by Tom Vaughan Lawlor, better known as ‘Nidge’ in the massively popular Love/Hate. Aidan Gillen — who portrayed Nidge’s gangland boss in first two series of the crime drama — will play Haughey.

The former press secretary said he was “flattered” by the casting choice, and confirmed he’d be tuning in whenever the production airs.

“Of course. I’m vain enough that if Tom Vaughan Lawlor is playing my part…  he almost has a reputation as big as Charlie Haughey had in his time, so that in itself would probably pander to my ego.”

Asked how he believed the events of the time would be depicted, the 71-year-old said (tongue firmly in cheek) he was sure that RTÉ would be, “as usual, even handed and balanced in its presentation”.

More seriously, he said he believed the producers should take a rounded approach to how Haughey is shown.

“They should look at the whole man and reflect on the good things that he did as well as the things he maybe shouldn’t have done.

“I think he deserves that it should be warts and all. But it should be all — not just warts.”

Mara said he’d be happy to meet up with Vaughan Lawlor as part of the actor’s process of preparation, but asked if he would give any advice to the Love/Hate star, replied “I would’t dare”.

The three-parter will cover the period from Haughey’s bid for power in 1979 to his departure from politics in 1992. It goes into production this week. An air date is yet to be confirmed.

Read: Guess who’s going to play Charles Haughey in a new drama?

Column: It’s 30 years since GUBU. Now THAT was a political battle

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
30 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Begrudgy
    Favourite Begrudgy
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:50 PM

    Its because Haughey was one of the biggest Irish crime bosses in the 20th Century. The Irish cant get enough of Gangsters. We have a perverse love affair with them.

    94
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Mitchell
    Favourite Dave Mitchell
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:05 PM

    We do indeed. Look at John G hero. Filling the papers

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute andrew
    Favourite andrew
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:36 PM

    Speaking to Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning, the veteran PR expert said it was “extraordinary” that the fascination had remained.

    It remains because Haughey’s and FF’s corruption has had such far reaching consequences for all of us. It shapes the way we spend our days

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lucinda Dalton
    Favourite Lucinda Dalton
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:37 PM

    And bought off the masses with a free bus pass.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Traynor
    Favourite Joe Traynor
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:50 PM

    That’s the masse for you Lucinda !

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angela Kelly
    Favourite Angela Kelly
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:27 PM

    What a clown, just goes to show how RTE is the Governments propaganda wing

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Neill
    Favourite John O'Neill
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:39 PM

    He had Miriam dripping all over him. It must be the legendary charm he likes to think he has….

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Soneps
    Favourite Soneps
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:04 PM

    Her brother Jim OCallaghan is a Fianna Fail councillor for Dublin South East. A lot of RTE is one big RTE clique, all longing for a return to the glory days.

    54
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Soneps
    Favourite Soneps
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:07 PM

    *FF clique – Same with Ryan Tubridy, whose father was an FF TD, grand father was a prominent member and two of his cousins are Chris Andrew and Barry Andrews.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Brady
    Favourite Owen Brady
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 7:32 PM

    SHOWTIME

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cowenwatch
    Favourite Cowenwatch
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 8:26 PM

    Isn’t Tubs related to the Lenihan brothers and Mary O’Rourke too? Maybe not!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lucinda Dalton
    Favourite Lucinda Dalton
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:30 PM

    ““They should look at the whole man and reflect on the good things that he did as well as the things he maybe shouldn’t have done”

    He MAYBE shouldn’t have done. Still a PR man I see PJ.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Mitchell
    Favourite Dave Mitchell
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:41 PM

    So pj what your trying to say is rte will remain rubbish add t .v. paying 160 a year to watch adds. Were would you get it

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Traynor
    Favourite Joe Traynor
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:55 PM

    Charlie was corrupt no doubt about it but he wasn’t incompetent like most of the current bunch. We will never get quality in government as long as we are electing the clown that makes the most promises every time .

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan Ash
    Favourite Ryan Ash
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 5:00 PM

    Don’t forget all the promises that Haughey made to get elected in the 80s, and then did an immediate U-turn on with his famous “Ireland is living beyond its means” speech.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Dickinson
    Favourite Keith Dickinson
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:34 PM

    ‘Divisive Politician’. What an extraordinarily PC term. Anyone care to suggest more appropriate terms? Let me start…. ‘Criminal’.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Petr Tarasov
    Favourite Petr Tarasov
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 8:07 PM

    Filth

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute censored
    Favourite censored
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 9:49 PM

    A right charvet.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Go Tobann
    Favourite Go Tobann
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:36 PM

    RTE, fianna fail, elitism, corruption, publicans, horseracing, high court judges, tribunals, Catholic church, living beyond your means and a sneery grin. Please let us move past this Ireland of old.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donal Quigley
    Favourite Donal Quigley
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:05 PM

    Haughey did an enormous amount of good from provding adequate pensions, free bus travel, succession rights for spouses, the IFSC, averting bankruptcy for the state after Fitzgerald/Spring, attempting protecting citizens in the north from loyalist mobs. And yes there was corruption but that appears to always be with us. I’m sure it will be the usual lefty RTE hatchet job.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul McGovern
    Favourite Paul McGovern
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 4:40 PM

    What strange analysis.

    So it’s lefty to be anti corruption and abusing power?

    Are right wing people for these things then?

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Petr Tarasov
    Favourite Petr Tarasov
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 8:06 PM

    What a horrible little fool you are Donal.

    9
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonie Kinsella
    Favourite Jonie Kinsella
    Report
    Oct 17th 2013, 3:04 PM

    Well said Donal they much bigger clowns out there now then poor old Charlie R.I. P.
    He was a great politician he only took from the rich like Ben dunne that gave him the money ,

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig Lehany
    Favourite Padraig Lehany
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 5:35 PM

    Haughey got tips from De Valera!!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vera Clavin
    Favourite Vera Clavin
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 8:54 PM

    good old mara..collecting the old age pension and child allowance at the same time!!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Squig Dublin
    Favourite Squig Dublin
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:45 PM

    I don’t see how that is Angela, can you elaborate? In my opinion the fascination is there still because of the far reaching corruption coupled with the fact that Charlie was such a successful and good politician

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Squig Dublin
    Favourite Squig Dublin
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:46 PM

    Can’t wait for the show btw

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Squig Dublin
    Favourite Squig Dublin
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 3:45 PM

    I don’t see how that is Angela, can you elaborate? In my opinion the fascination is there still because of the far reaching corruption coupled with the fact that Charlie was such a successful and good politician

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Petr Tarasov
    Favourite Petr Tarasov
    Report
    Oct 16th 2013, 7:35 PM

    This is the only clip featuring Haughey I want to watch!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Zod Shannon
    Favourite Michael Zod Shannon
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2013, 7:43 PM

    THE GENERAL made that human sewage martin cahill look like a lovable chancer. I hope RTE do better with that piece of garbage haughey

    1
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.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds