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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.
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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.
We do indeed. Look at John G hero. Filling the papers
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
And bought off the masses with a free bus pass.
That’s the masse for you Lucinda !
What a clown, just goes to show how RTE is the Governments propaganda wing
He had Miriam dripping all over him. It must be the legendary charm he likes to think he has….
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.
*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.
SHOWTIME
Isn’t Tubs related to the Lenihan brothers and Mary O’Rourke too? Maybe not!
““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.
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
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 .
‘Divisive Politician’. What an extraordinarily PC term. Anyone care to suggest more appropriate terms? Let me start…. ‘Criminal’.
Filth
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.
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.
What strange analysis.
So it’s lefty to be anti corruption and abusing power?
Are right wing people for these things then?
What a horrible little fool you are Donal.
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 ,
Haughey got tips from De Valera!!
good old mara..collecting the old age pension and child allowance at the same time!!
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
Can’t wait for the show btw
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
THE GENERAL made that human sewage martin cahill look like a lovable chancer. I hope RTE do better with that piece of garbage haughey
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