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Mary Hanafin and Micheál Martin (File photo) graph: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

No third time lucky for Micheál Martin as the Mary Hanafin debacle adds to Fianna Fáil woes

“I’m in. I’m in,” Hanafin declared earlier, despite requests from her party leader.

IN THE PAST 24 hours, Micheál Martin twice tried to get Mary Hanafin to withdraw her name from the running for a council seat in the Blackrock ward of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. She refused. Twice.

In fact, it was the third time since Saturday that the Fianna Fáil leader had asked his former cabinet colleague to withdraw her name from the race.

But she was not for turning having been given “no good reason” for the dramatic and frankly farcical u-turn by the party hierarchy who had decided last Wednesday that it would be a good idea for Hanafin to put her name forward.

As Hanafin tells it, Fianna Fáil HQ became open to the idea of her running for the council – she had already indicated she would run for the Dáil again in 2016 – after seeing data which indicated a possibility of taking two seats in Blackrock, where the party’s Ógra president Kate Feeney is tipped to do well.

The party approached her on Wednesday, she slept on it, and on Thursday agreed for her name to go forward on the basis that her running mate Feeney should be informed of what was happening .

Even “at tea-time” on Friday Martin was happy with progress, according to Hanafin, yet it was later that night that she was told she should not let her name go forward following the recommendation of the party’s constituency committee.

In Fianna Fáil’s words Hanafin was told “in the clearest possible terms” that she should not let her name go forward. But it seems it was not clear enough as the former education minister decided to lodge her nomination papers on Saturday, hoping the matter could be sorted out.

Hanafin says that Martin called her on Saturday and asked her to withdraw her name. She did not.

He called her again last night and, again, she said she would not be withdrawing her name. It was a similar story this morning when Martin made what appears to have been a last ditch plea before the 12 noon deadline for a candidate to withdraw their name.

This, very obviously, makes Martin look weak as the leader of the party whereby those below him will not adhere to his requests. (It’s perhaps worth noting that Hanafin challenged Micheál Martin for the leadership of the party in the dying days of the last Fianna Fáil administration).

But more than that the farcical way in which this has been handled – whereby a candidate is asked to run, is given all indications that she should run, is given nomination papers and is then told not to run – does not reflect well on Martin, the party hierarchy or the general organisation at the highest levels of Fianna Fáil.

We have yet to hear Martin’s version of events. Asked this lunchtime if he would be speaking today, a spokesperson was unable to provide an answer. A meeting of the parliamentary party this afternoon heard “clarity” on the matter according to one well-placed source who would be supportive of Martin.

But consistently middling poll numbers, described as “brutal” by Hanafin herself, have done little to bolster Martin and there is a growing sense amongst some that he is fatally damaged by his links to the previous administration.

There are several TDs within the party who have leadership ambitions – most notably Michael McGrath and Dara Calleary, while PAC chairman John McGuinness has also made it known that he has leadership ambitions though he would be unlikely to have the backing of his colleagues.

The reality is that voters don’t care much for internal party squabbles.

But if Fianna Fáil has a poor showing on 23 May and, particularly in Dublin, where it does not have a single TD, then those internal party squabbles could spill over into full scale revolt against Martin’s leadership.

It’s on: Hanafin staying in race, despite Martin asking her three times to withdraw

Previously: Fianna Fáil: Mary Hanafin is NOT running in the local elections

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48 Comments
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    Mute verbal kint
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:27 AM

    Never mind commendation from the Oscar’s, cant get much more of an accolade than stephen hawking saying he’s proud of you !.

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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:54 AM

    Seen this movie. Very good acting. Also shows the amazing strength of mind of hawking.

    A very beautiful mind

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    Mute Dave J
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 1:06 PM

    watched it two or three days ago myself. I thought it was going to be a borefest, but I found it to be an awesome movie in every respect

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    Mute Kian David Griffin
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 11:21 AM

    Wibbly, he knows himself that they contradict each other, what that proves is that he is not afraid to be wrong, he challenged his own theories (which is something a lot of commentators on here would never do!)
    Have you watched the movie? In it they show that he openly admits that he is disproving his initial theories. That is the only way to reach the conclusion he is trying to reach, to keep going one better, challenge what was previously thought (even if it was himself that thought it).

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    Mute Norma Kealy
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 1:54 PM

    My Dad has MND and I can’t bring myself to watch this film but it was brilliant to see Redmayne win .Was a lovely gesture to dedicate his Oscar to all those affected by MND……

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    Mute Conor Murphy
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 12:57 PM

    Did anyone else read the Facebook post in the computer voice?

    49
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    Mute WibblyWobblyWonder
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:44 AM

    This is not going to be popular but here goes….
    I don’t believe in Stephen Hawking. I think he is the worlds greatest piss take that got out of hand and caught on. Just a poor guy in a vegetative state with an artificial voice programmed by someone else. His two alleged books contradict each other with theories that closer resemble religion than science.
    Look closer and engage your facilities and stop believing in all you are shown.

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    Mute JJ O Riordan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:50 AM

    You’re a special kind of stupid aren’t you, wibbly?

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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:58 AM

    Just one question Wibbly, do you wear big boy pants yet?

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    Mute Harry byrne
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 11:07 AM

    Thanks for that Humanity Changing Theory Wibbly..Great Input!!!!!!

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    Mute Eamonn Byrne
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 11:39 AM

    I’m quite sure that they were actual books and not alleged books.

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    Mute Emily Elephant
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 11:48 AM

    That one’s right up there with “giraffes are a government conspiracy”. I salute you.

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 12:36 PM

    I take it you have never seen live interviews with the genius that is Hawking……you’re not a special kind of stupid. Tou and Lord of the realm of stupid…..

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    Mute Susan Adair Farrelly
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 2:53 PM

    Worlds greatest piss take that got out hand? You don’t “believe” in him? Care to explain?

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    Mute Shanti
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 5:04 PM

    There’s a reason his books contradict each other.

    The scientific principle is that you follow the evidence, wherever that leads. There’s no place for dogmatism.

    Stephen Hawking has had the sense to hold his hands up and admit when his theories are wrong.
    Hence why he doesn’t dogmatically stick to his guns.

    You seem to see this as a bad thing, but in reality it is simply proof of the fact that the man is only interested in discovering the truth.

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 5:17 PM

    Tulip.

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 12:44 PM

    I was smiling at the first two sentences because I thought you were being satirical. Then I realized you were being serious. Wow. Even Frank couldn’t come up with that level of nonsense.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 1:58 PM

    Don’t you mean ‘ questioning all that we do not know’, science is about facts rather than blind faith in the unknown.

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    Mute WibblyWobblyWonder
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 1:11 PM

    Hawking cannot do a live interview only one where he has been given the questions in advance so his voice system can be programmed to respond. He could not answer a basic question in real time. The interview you witnessed nearly presents the impression of being live.
    I’m not trying to be provocative but by applying the scientific principles of questioning all we know I feel it does not add up.

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 2:48 PM

    That lends to toir paranoia and not a lack of credibility on his part. You’ve no basis other than your wildly speculative imagination.

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 2:50 PM

    *your paranoi. I’m not as adept with the auld written word as Prof. Hawking

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 2:50 PM

    Oh I give up!

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    Mute Shanti
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    Wow..
    The man lost the ability to use his muscles, your tongue is a muscle too. So he lost the ability to talk. He was at an opera in Paris and had a seizure and the only way they could save him was with a tracheotomy meaning he lost what speech capabilities he had.
    He communicated for a long time by clicking around a page with one single control, because the only motion he had left was to squeeze with one hand. He doesn’t even have that anymore, and communicates with a twitch of the muscle of his cheek.

    As a result he has to type as though he only had one finger. Can you imagine how long it would take him to respond to any question?

    And yet you would use this as something to base a wild assumption about the man?
    Are you envious that they named a form of radiation after him or something?

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    Mute WibblyWobblyWonder
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 4:38 PM

    For anyone left on this thread, I find it curious that so many respond with such vehemence to somebody questioning Hawkins credibility. I suggest that the same critical analysis that caused Hawkins to revise his initial premise are applied to himself as a real genius trapped tragically inside a lifeless frame ravaged by the horror of MND or perhaps an elaborate creation of an inspiring human story of an active mind at its core that comments on all matters concerning humanity. Truely, I myself would like to believe, as I would in God and Santa.
    One final question….. If we have the technology to allow the millions of people who have this condition to communicate then why is it only used by one?

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    Vehemence? I challenged your points respectfully and you ignored them to post elsewhere with more unfounded accusations. I take it that’s what you do for fun…..

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    Mute Shanti
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 5:20 PM

    If you take issue with his text to speech module not being more widely available then surely that’s an issue you should take up with IBM?

    They use Professor Hawking as a test subject. His module is essentially the alpha test unit. And it has been used as a model to try and build similar things for other sufferers. The problem is how specific it needs to be, this makes it impossible for some to afford.

    Again, these issues are not the fault of Professor Hawking, who was broke enough himself for long enough.

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    Mute WibblyWobblyWonder
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 1:43 PM

    It may be more fruitful if all of you movie going scientists respond with a logical counterpoint rather than tin foil hat insults.
    A brief history of time published in 1988 espoused Hawkins alleged theories and became a global best seller realising millions of dollars. The world embraced him as a genius. Onwards to book 2, a briefer history of time which was also a global bestseller. Hawking ridicules his initial theories and presents New ones. Result…. Not only a genius but a brave one to admit he was wrong in the first place.
    He is one of the world’s most successful media creations and people follow him blindly.
    All I’m asking is that you all look closer and use your logic in the final analysis. A process that any scientist would encourage.

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 2:47 PM

    In order to know for sure one would have to meet with and talk to the man. Those that have consider him genuine. Your theory is nothing more than attention seeking tinfoil hattery with nothing to back it up but wild unjustified assumption.
    Ailbhe O’Nolan MSc

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    Mute Susan Adair Farrelly
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 2:57 PM

    @ wibbly Questioning and challenging theories is the cornerstone of scientific inquiry. Why do you have an issue with that?

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    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 3:10 PM

    In addition to Susans comment, finding reliable answers is part of thay cornerstone. Speculation is not a part of the scientific method. Even a basic hypothesis stems from observation, previous findings and logical extrapolation. Your theory has none of the above.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 5:13 PM

    Wibbly, the scientific principle is to follow the evidence, wherever that leads. If it disproves your theory, then your theory is wrong. Clinging to it dogmatically is in no way scientific, it’s more religious.

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    Mute Liam Treacy
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:59 PM

    It is a great human story. The strength of the human condition.

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