This is a tiny card from Tom Stafford in the 1985 local elections campaign. Its not often Candidates write their message in verse.
Tom Stafford “He’s a true blue” – Fianna Fail 1985 LE October 23, 2009
Berties Newsletter 1993
Berties Newsletter from around 1993 I think. Its some production and really illustrates the image on the ground as the person who gets jobs done. Literally every road in the area has had a problem addressed at Berties behest.
Patricia McKenna 1992-Dublin Central October 2, 2009
Patricia McKenna in what I think was her first electoral outing. She was Roger Garlands Dail Adviser and co-secretary of the European Greens.
As an Artist I presume she did the wonderful cartoon herself.
Tony Gregory Letter to Constituents 08 /Maureen O’Sullivan 09 September 29, 2009
This was sent to me by the wonderfully helpful Maureen O’Sullivan. Its over a year on from the letter and 9 months since Tonys Passing on the 2nd of January. I gather it was his last communication with all his constituents. Gracious and humble as ever.
Maureen O’Sullivans literature has the same picture of herself and the Late Tony Gregory as that on the Gregory Leaflet.
(Judge) Michael White- Workers Party- 1983 Dublin Central By-Election. September 28, 2009
His last of four attempts at winning a Dail seat, the now Judge Michael White poses with Tomas McGiolla and Prionsias De Rossa. He polled a respectable 13% of the vote in the By-Election. He is one of a number of our judiciary that have electoral records, amongst them George Birmingham, Henry Abbott, Adrian Hardiman and Pat McCartan.
Christian Solidarity Party- Paul O’Loughlin 2009 September 27, 2009
This is from the 2009 Dublin Central By-Election (He may well have stood elsewhere too.)… I love the way they are Anti Bin Tax .
Note too where the candidate mentions that he is the Nephew of Chief Justice Rory O’Hanlon!
Michael Keating, Kevin Byrne -Fine Gael 1985 Local Elections. September 26, 2009
This is from the 1985 local elections, A year later he defected to join the Progressive Democrats. He was the only Fine Gael TD to do so, although later on left the PDs and rejoined Fine Gael.
His reputation took a turn when in later years when, amongst other things, he made a settlement with the CAB over unpaid taxes and was also mentioned in a serious Fraud case.
Niamh Nic Mhathúna (now Niamh Ui Bhriain) of Youth Defence – Independent -Dublin Central 1992 September 24, 2009
Dublin Central 1992 leaflets of Niamh Nic Mhathúna, involved in Youth Defence, daughter of Una Bean nic Mhathuna of “G’way ye wife-swapping sodomites’ fame. The Leaflets are actually printed by Youth Defence. She is also supported by ‘The Family Rights Council’ and ‘The Housewives Union’.
The State is ‘Anti-Mother’, looks like she reckons the EEC is anti family too.
Fianna Fail- Dublin Central 1992 – Bertie Ahern, Olga Bennett, Dermot Fitzpatrick
1992 Dublin Central, with redrawn boundaries, the constituency is reduced to 4 seats and of the 3 sitting Fianna Fail TDs, John Stafford moves to Dublin North Central (where he lost out). Bertie romps home but neither of his running mates are elected despite Fianna Fail
having almost two quotas.
A number of Flyers wuith profiles of the candidates , ‘Bertie Gets the job done’, whilst Olga Bennett was ‘born into a Fianna Fail family’,whilst Dermot Fitzpatrick was ‘born ,reared and lives in the constituency’.
Tom Leonard – Fianna Fail -1983 Dublin Central By-Election
The by election was caused by the death of George Colley. After much insistence by Bertie , former TD Tom Leonard, was selected as the Fianna Fail candidate. He duly won the seat. In the Message from Fainna Fail Leader Charles Haugheys he appears to take full credit for the Gregory deal as if he did it off his own bat. The By-Election was Fine Gael candidate and future MEP Mary Bannottis first electoral outing.
Tony Kett -Fianna Fail -1991 and 1985 Local Elections
The Late Tony Kett from the 1991 and 1985 local elections. Kett was an integral part of the ‘Drumcondra Mafia’ and of course served in the Seanad. The Leaflet from Bertie is interesting in that it outlines their friendship also doesn’t give the other candidates much of a look in either.
Joan Burton 1989 -Dublin Central
Joan Burton lost her deposit as she ran for Labour alongside Joe Costello in 1989 in Dublin Central. She subsequently moved to the Dublin West Constituency.
Leaflet from Tony Gregory -1985 Local Elections -North Inner City September 23, 2009
The late Tony Gregory spent 25 years in the Dail, yet it was for “The Gregory Deal” in his first term that many remember him most for. He was an avid community activist and worker, staunchly anti drugs and was jailed for his stand with the Street traders. This leaflet is from the 1985 Local elections.
John Colgan meets Esther Rantzen….but he has a past….. September 18, 2009
You got your picture taken once with Esther Rantzen ….so have it as the centrepiece of your campaign for the 1991 Local elections…..
Wonder did the electors know you had your picture taken with Alice Glenn and Michael Keating 10 years earlier though?
Berties Electoral Machine September 10, 2009
Bertie had a reputation for electioneering with the ‘Drumcondra Mafia’ being part of a fantastic electoral machine.
Below I’ve posted samples of what a Dublin Central resident would have got through the door or personally from Bertie, the majority being from the 1980s….
Click on these to enlarge
Christy Burke 1983 Dublin Central By-Election September 9, 2009
Christy Burke Leaflet from the 1983 Dublin Central By-Election
Click on IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Irish Election Literature 
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