Charles Haughey Elected Leader
On this day in 1979 Charles Haughey was elected leader of the Fianna Fáil political party succeeding Jack Lynch and seeing off his rival, the then Tánaiste, George Colley. Following the resignation of Lynch, then Taoiseach, the leadership race became heated with both Haughey and Colley battling for supremacy. Haughey’s election, and subsequent appointment as Taoiseach four days later, marked a remarkable comeback for a man who only eight years previous had been embroiled in controversy during the Arms Crisis of 1970. Born in 1925 in Castlebar, county Mayo, Haughey was appointed Minister for Health in 1977 a position he held until his election as leader of the party. A controversial figure Haughey was openly critical of partition and called Northern Ireland a ‘failed political entity’ at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in 1980. Having lost the General Election in 1981 and receiving criticism from within the party, Haughey led Fianna Fáil back into government in 1982. After a period in opposition, Fianna Fáil were re-elected in 1987 with Haughey once more elected Taoiseach. After calling a snap General Election in 1989 Haughey formed a coalition with the Progressive Democrats. However, he was forced to resign in 1992 following allegations that the party has been involved in the illegal phone tapping of journalists. For the remainder of his life he was embroiled in financial scandals and was the focus of a number of tribunals of inquiry. Charles Haughey died in 2006 and was buried with a state funeral attended by President Mary McAleese.