Hillery leads the Fianna Fáil field

THE Hillery political dynasty could be revived should Dr John Hillery, son of the late President Patrick J Hillery, secure a place on the Clare Fianna Fáil ticket to contest the next general election.

The 53-year-old Dublin-based consultant psychiatrist has emerged as one of the favourites to succeed retiring Defence Minister Tony Killeen in the next Dáil.
In an exclusive interview with The Clare Champion, the former president of the Irish Medical Council confirmed he was willing to stand, if nominated by a cumann, at the eagerly awaited Clare Fianna Fáil selection convention at the West County Hotel, Ennis, this Sunday afternoon.
“It is a great honour to be mentioned as a possible Dáil candidate in Clare for the general election. I will be a candidate, if I can be nominated by a cumann. My preferred option would be to be selected at a selection convention, if that is the wish of the majority of delegates,” he said.
A well-placed Clare Fianna Fáil source insisted Dr Hillery would have a great chance in helping the party win a seat in addition to retaining the one held by deputy, Timmy Dooley.
Supporters of Dr Hillery are keen to emphasise his strong Clare links, having grown up in Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, which he still visits regularly, and his staunch Fianna Fáil family links. He has served a two-and-a-half-year term as president of the Irish Medical Council. He was also elected president of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities, which supports medical regulatory authorities worldwide.
Dr Hillery could become the second consultant psychiatrist to win a Dáil seat in Clare inthe last 20 years, following in the footsteps of Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, who caused a major shock by winning a seat as a first-time Labour candidate at the expense of outgoing Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Daly.
As a consultant psychiatrist attached to Stewart Hospital and St John of God, Dr Hillery works in Kildare and Dublin West and specialises in providing treatment for people with intellectual disabilities.
Two years ago, he was also appointed as a non-pharmacist member to the council of the Irish Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the industry watchdog for pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland.
Coincidently, his cousin, Seán Hillery, a former member of Clare County Council and Shannon Town Council, was president of the organisation over 10 years ago.
Dr Hillery is married to Carolyn, a dietician and daughter of Michael Curtin, who was one of the first consultant paediatricians, to set up practice in Limerick. They have four children and live in Blackrock, Dublin. He spent numerous summers as a teenager in Spanish Point and was often accompanied by his cousin, Michael Hillery.
Other names mentioned as possible candidates include Councillor Pat Daly from Ennis; former Clare and Lissycasey footballer, Martin Daly and St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point principal, Mary Crawford. These three potential candidates hadn’t confirmed their candidacy at the time of going to press and it appears some people who have not been mentioned are reserving their position until other candidates are declared.
Martin Daly, who has also been approached by a number of Fianna Fáil activists to join the contest, was still undecided on Wednesday evening but hasn’t ruled it out.
It is understood Councillor Daly is coming under considerable pressure to throw his hat into the ring before Sunday’s convention.
The 54-year-old father of three, who topped the poll in the 1999 local elections in the Ennis area and has retained his seat since then, is well known throughout the county, having worked closely with Deputy Killeen as his constituency secretary for the past 18 years.
He declined to comment when contacted on Wednesday.
Ms Crawford, who has been involved with Fianna Fáil in Clare and Dublin for over 30 years, was still keeping her options open.
Living in Inagh, Ms Crawford is the outgoing vice-chairperson of the North Clare Comhairle Ceanntair and previously served as chairperson for four years.
“I have been sick with the ’flu this week and haven’t had a chance to sit down and talk to my family and the local Fianna Fáil organisation. It would be a great honour for any person to be selected to represent their party in the next general election,” she said.
One of the most striking aspects of the race to fill the seat, which will be vacated by Minister Tony Killeen, is the number of people who have opted out, illustrating a reluctance to become a Fianna Fáil Dáil candidate due to the expected backlash against the Government.
Former Clare All-Ireland-winning hurling captain in 1995 and ’97, Anthony Daly, ruled himself out on Monday while Marina Keane, daughter of Kilkee Councillor Pat Keane, also confirmed she wasn’t in a position to put her name forward.
Councillors Richard Nagle and Michael Hillery; Clare Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair secretary, Gerry Reidy and Ronan Daly, son of former Clare senator and deputy, Brendan Daly, have confirmed they would not be a seeking a nomination.
Mr Reidy stressed it was vital for the local Fianna Fáil organisation to refine its strategy and ensure it performs effectively in the general election.
Councillor Cathal Crowe, who is also considering his position, has admitted his geographical location in South-East Clare, just a short distance from Fianna Fáil Deputy, Timmy Dooley, places him at a considerable disadvantage.