This episode tell the story of the Independent Fianna Fáil party founded by Neil T. Blaney after his expulsion from Fianna Fáil. It lasted from 1973 until 2006. There’s a background to Blaney , a brief bit on his career as a Minister, Blaneys time in Europe as well as the various elections the party fought.
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Podcast – Independent Fianna Fáil (Blaney) October 1, 2020
A receipt from the 1956 Fianna Fail National Collection. Signed by Neil Blaney February 16, 2014
A receipt from the Fianna Fail National Collection 1956. Signed by Neil Blaney.
The receipt is for £1 and is issued to Old IRA veteran Pat Hayes, who was a publican in Thurles.
Many thanks to the sender
Leaflet from Dara Blaney -Independent – Donegal North East -2011 General Election December 10, 2012
From the 2011 General Election a Leaflet from Dara Blaney who was running as an Independent/ New Vision candidate in Donegal North East. Blaney , son of the late a Neil Blaney polled 1,228 votes and failed to win a seat.
Many thanks to the sender.
“Blaney For Europe” ads- Neil Blaney-1979 European Elections March 10, 2011
From the 1979 European Elections ads from The Galway Advertiser for Independent Fianna Fail candidate Neil Blaney running in Connaught Ulster.
“The EEC has failed to deliver on the promises made when you voted Yes to entry 7 years ago” writes Blaney giving details on faults from Potato marketing policy to The Regional Fund.
Blaney topped the poll and was elected on the first count.
Dessie Larkin , Peter Patton -Independent Fianna Fail -2004 Letterkenny Town Council September 9, 2010
From the 2004 Local Elections a leaflet for Independent Fianna Fail candidates for Letterkenny Town Council Dessie Larkin and Peter Patton. Dessie Larkin was elected but Peter Patton missed out.
Dessie Larkin is the son of former Independent Fianna Fail Senator James Larkin (1985 Leaflet here).
The aims and objectives of the party are fairly good. There’s little or no mention of the British presence in the North which was a mainstay of their early policies until the peace process.
Albert Doherty, Columba Doherty -Independent Fianna Fail- Innisowen 2004 LE March 15, 2010
From the 2004 Local Elections in Donegal, Independent Fianna Fail candidates Albert Doherty and Columba Doherty. Neither were elected.
Tadhg Colbert, James Larkin, Hugh Dorrian, Jim Lynch- Independent Fianna Fail -Letterkenny UDC 1985 October 11, 2009
Tadhg Colbert, James Larkin, Hugh Dorrian and Jim Lynch. An Interesting bunch here. Unusual to see a candidates name have two different spellings. Tadhg Colbert on the front, Tadgh Culbert on the back. He later joined Fianna Fail and stood for them in the 1994 UDC elections.
James Larkin was Neil T Blaneys director of elections. He had also been a member of the Seanad, nominated as part of the deal for Independent Fianna Fail TD Neil T Blaney to support the 1982 Haughey government. Whilst not quite the headline grabber the Gregory deal was, this was the one and only time the Independent Fianna Fail party had a seat in the Seanad.
(more…)
Niall Blaney – Independent Fianna Fail -2002 GE September 14, 2009
After Neil T. Blaney’s brother, Harry Blaneys defeat in the 1996 by-Election, Independent Fianna Fail easily won back the seat the following year with Harry Blaney again as candidate.
Harry retired in 2002 and it was his son Niall Blaney who successfully stood for Independent Fianna Fail. The third generation of Blaneys to be elected to the Dail.
After negotiations, Independent Fianna Fail rejoined the Fianna Fail mothership in 2006. So this would be some of the last General Election literature produced by the party. The party literature I have always uses orange as the background. (I’ve more that I will post in due course)
Neil T. Blaney -Independent Fianna Fail – 1989 European Elections.
Neil Blaney was originally elected as a Fianna Fail TD in 1948 (a by-election caused by the death of his Father Neal Blaney). After a successful Ministerial career, he was sacked from cabinet over what led to the ‘Arms Trial’. It wasn’t though until 1972 that he was expelled from Fianna Fail for ‘conduct unbecoming’.
Neil Blaney then set about the foundation of the Independent Fianna Fail organisation in Donegal. He was returned 8 times to the Dail and twice to the European Parliment. After his Death in 1995 the subsequent by-election was won not by his Brother Harry, but by Cecilia Keaveney, daughter of former Independent Fianna Fail TD Paddy Keaveney….
These are from the 1989 Euro Elections. I have three different leaflets with the same picture but different slogans. The back of each leaflet was different and where you will get an idea of the policies and the experience of the man. His ‘Record’ reads like a historical document of the 50s, 60s,70s and 80s.
In an age where most politicians were members of GAA clubs, Blaney continued the tradition of soccer in Donegal as he had a spell as President of the FAI. You will also see the ‘Troops Out’ heading, Blaney was unashamedly Republican.
Irish Election Literature 
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