Bruce Arnold

Critic of Public Affairs, writing about art, theatre, music and politics

Charles Haughey on the Road to Power

Charles Haughey was always on the road to power but never quite reached this longed-for destination. He wanted absolute power yet he never won a general election. He took the country into its worst crisis when he attempted, illegally, to import arms and convey them north, into Northern Ireland for use by the I.R.A. Jack Lynch blocked him in this and dismissed him. All the carefully orchestrated attributes of a leader who was waiting to take over were dismantled. He went to the backbenches in the Dail humiliated and profoundly disgraced.

Continue...