John O'Donoghue resigns

It took months of work by Ken Foxe at the Sunday Tribune. His efforts deserve every applause.

For my own part, I started posting Ken’s FOI work online on August 18. I hope this helped in some way to get Ken’s work more exposure, and help force this resignation. For even half of the trips at the Department of Tourism, John O’Donoghue should have resigned. It took another set of expenses to tip it over the edge.

Mr O’Donoghue is a national disgrace. He has disgraced his party, disgraced the office he holds, disgraced our parliament, and disgraced our country.

But the FOI work continues.

Update: Taoiseach’s statment:

“In indicating his intention to step down from the office of Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD, acted in the best interests of Dáil Éireann,
and the office of Ceann Comhairle. He has been a most effective and fair Ceann Comhairle who has acted with commitment and integrity to ensure that the members of Dáil Éireann could debate freely and fairly the issues of the day.”

“The Ceann Comhairle has indicated that he wishes to make a statement to the House next week, I respect his right to do that. I thank him for his contribution to this Dáil as Ceann Comhairle and I wish him well for the future.”


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8 responses to “John O'Donoghue resigns”

  1. eyelight avatar
    eyelight

    Congratulations.
    I know that's not the most appropriate word, but caongratulations anyway.
    Keep up the good work.
    Plenty more like O'Donaghue and I hope they're waking up this morning with a feeling of dread.

  2. Gombeen Man avatar

    Well done Gavin. The shocking thing for me is that it has taken so long for the “opposition” to demand his resignation. What does that say?

  3. jimky avatar
    jimky

    If,as is reported,the Taoiseach sounded out John Gormley seeking Green Party support to oppose the Labour Party motion one has to wonder where FFstands on JODs expenditure

  4. niall avatar
    niall

    Brilliant news. You and your cohorts deserve to share in the praise. Don't take your foot off the gas, though – resignations tend to come in quick succession, use the momentum this has built.

    Perhaps the Irish lobby might now get their heads out their arses and begin doing their job properly.

  5. Ronan Gallagher avatar

    John O Donoghue has disgraced Fianna Fail? Is it possible to disgrace them any more than they have been? The old question of 'How low can you go'? comes to mind. Answer: 'About as low as a Jack Rusell's arsehole!'

  6. ferdia2010 avatar
    ferdia2010

    Gavin your famous !! you made it to prime-time ..
    As regards John O' Donoghue it's about time and really and truly his cohorts would want to go as well. See how far the school building is behind and they have the money to do it …
    How much are these prefabs costing ?

  7. morgor avatar
    morgor

    one has to wonder where FFstands on JODs expenditure

    They quite obviously see nothing wrong with it. Otherwise they wouldn't be plotting revenge on Labour.

  8. jmcd33 avatar

    Gavin if you see Pat Kenny on your next trip to RTE give him this:
    An open letter to Pat Kenny:
    Dear Mr Kenny,
    In your day,you have interviewed: ” Bertie”, “Charlie”, “Seanie”,
    (Fitz) “Rody”, and “Liamie” (Lawlor) and every nasty class of dog
    with a pet name like a friendly poodle.
    Why do the biggest scoundrels in the nation all have “pet names”.?
    If fools in Brazil or Bogota wish to pay the Washington speakers
    Bureau huge sums, to listen to discredited Irish politicians lecturing
    them on how to create an “economic powerhouse” in Latin America then
    as the Danes say:”The last fool has not been born yet”.No problem.
    However I and many thousands of good citizens of this island (Ireland)
    strongly resent being unwillingly treated to similar showmanship-and
    having to pay for the dubious privilege.
    Your salary scales in RTE are very high.Some would say
    obscene.Particularly as we listners (or non listeners)- are fined or
    jailed, for refusing to finance your unnecessary public financed radio
    and TV stations
    Perhaps there is an unspoken agreement therefore; between your
    political paymasters and yourselves, to the effect that ordinary
    citizens who bankroll you both to such a degree that you continue to
    prosper happily when independent television stations are making
    cutbacks;- must suffer the indignity of listening to the formerly
    highest public representative in the country; waffling about his
    autobiography.I This man would be a social pariah were he living in
    Bombay or Beijing.
    He would not be getting free publicity on the national radio and TV
    station. He would be rightfully boycotted.
    If a lie must be called an “untruth” in “Dail-Eireann speak: fair enough.
    I put it to you mr Kenny, that a liar and a scoundrel; or an
    “untruther” and a scoundrel, has no place on your TV programme.
    No more than Ray Burke has; nor Liam Lawlor; nor C.J. Haughey, would
    have were they still offending us by their earthly presence;
    were either of them to be exhumed, and revivified, from the putrid
    soil which probably nourished flowers before their remains were placed
    there.
    Corruption in political life is not a “Game” as Ahern has often
    described his admittedly canny, successful career in buying enough
    votes to get re-elected three times in a row.
    The 5000 taxi drivers he bought in his Dublin constituency 25 years
    ago caused havoc with a shortage of public transport for years.
    His later reverse tack to save his own hide from Mata Hearney, has led
    to chaos and poverty today for many in the same industry
    The taxes he misused to” buy ” the last two elections with, has led
    to people actually dying while waiting for hospital treatment
    (remember Susie Long).
    I have no doubt that reflection rarely crosses his mind.
    The day of reckoning has arrived for his party, and not only is the
    kitty empty-but his Dept of Finance cronies are borrowing money to pay
    public sector wages while planning cutbacks in social welfare and new
    stealth taxes helpfully disguised as “Green” taxes by the now
    universally despised Gormley Gang.
    Further cutbacks in Health are almost inconceivable, so bad is the
    situation at present (It never really changed during his three terms
    in office.)
    That overpaid ass*ole Tubridy would interview Jack the Ripper to try
    and get back a few of the viewers who used to watch the late late
    show, and now turn off RTE every
    morning between 9 and 10 am. Your own programme Mr Kenny has always
    been entertaining while serious and probing, asking the right
    questions.
    You would greatly enhance your already high status with those of us
    who listen to your broadcasts regularly were you to decline
    interviewing this obnoxious politician,Ahern,
    who believes he can still strut the stage like an ostrich, totally
    shameless and unrepentant.
    Yours etc, John McDermott.