Michael McDowell Retires from public life

jhegarty

Just on RTE now..

zuutroy

Ha...Good riddance

swingking

that's not a good thing

He was the only guy who stood up to the face of organized crime

ballroom blitz

About frickin time too!!!

stakey

good riddance, no place in politics for a man like that (and that's saying something!)

sioda

Goodbye and may he never darken our lives again

AidoCQS

swingking wrote:

that's not a good thing

He was the only guy who stood up to the face of organized crime

What world are ypu living in, its been a boom time for organized crime

McDowell only started giving out abour the IRA after they had handed up their guns

Sir Oxman

Bye bye.

Irish Wolf

Congrats to John Gormley!

gandalf

swingking wrote:

that's not a good thing

He was the only guy who stood up to the face of organized crime

What with record levels of gun crime and gang murders ?

He failed to do his job properly and his employers (the people) fired him. He didn't retire he was fired.

solas

party will do better without him

Wishbone Ash

gandalf wrote:

He failed to do his job properly and his employers (the people) fired him.

They failed to renew his contract.

(He's still Minister for Justice until June 14th is he not?)

mike65

No he retired, he could have stayed in politics but has, undersandably decided to bow out now. I expect to see crime rates tumble and all drug gangs to quit. NOT

Mike.

swingking

AidoCQS wrote:

What world are ypu living in

The one where we learn how to spell

But seriously, I believe that Michael McDowell was a confident figure who was very much against organized crime; gangland figures.

He brought in mandatory sentences for armed crime, he introduced a criminal justice bill that should make a difference to do with gangland crime.

I've no real issue with the man to be honest. His views are right-wing, but you need that attitude when dealing with crime.

gandalf

swingking I haven't banned anyone today don't ever use spelling as a means to score personal points against someone on this forum again. You knew exactly what AidoCQS meant.

slumped

Did McDowell concede defeat before the results of the distribution was announced?

RTE certainly showed it that way.

Is there a difference in conceding and losing??

S

Time Magazine

There was no way he could have won; 1000 votes behind with 10 to go kind of a thing.

The Muppet

Small loss. I assume Harney will lead the PDs or what's left of them.

Wishbone Ash

slumped wrote:

Is there a difference in conceding and losing??

Yes, Fiona O'Malley hasn't a hope but she's not conceding defeat!

Wishbone Ash

The Muppet wrote:

Small loss. I assume Harney will lead the PDs or what's left of them.

They will be able to travel to Leinster house on a scooter.

philologos

swingking wrote:

that's not a good thing

He was the only guy who stood up to the face of organized crime

and let a convicted rapist free

Thank goodness he's gone.

dloob

Sorry to see him go.
He was never afraid to speak his mind and of course hassle the shinners.
I do think the PDs will be better with a different leader.

SoBe

swingking wrote:

that's not a good thing

He was the only guy who stood up to the face of organized crime

:eek:

are you on crack man?

chump

People have lost the plot if that can't see that it is important to have people like McDowell in politics.

The majority of people dislike McDowell because of his abrasive personality - not what he has achieved (or not) and I look forward to Fianna Fail taking hold of health and crime without off-loading them. Yea I can see the crime statistics tumble alright

I must say though I think Harney should be kept on in health, as I don't think any right-minded Fianna Fail'er can deny she has performed well.

keystone

Hi retired after the count so he most definitely lost!

In relation to what he did as Justice Minister, didn't he start the whole Stamp Duty crap and knocked the confidence out of the market. Didn't he want to kick Sinn Fein and the IRA when they finally put their guns down.....he's a brave and intrelligent minister.....NOT!!!!!!

His legacy will go down as one of the worst Ministers of all time.

An I agree that his party will be better without him......it couldn't be much worse. The PD's will be out of business in the next election when Harney steps down.

Trotter

So.. who can do a better job than him in Justice??

Is there an obvious FF'er who can take on the crime lords?

Give it to Mary O'Rourke if she gets in!

solas

The Muppet wrote:

Small loss. I assume Harney will lead the PDs or what's left of them.

she doesnt appear to want to.

BigTommyBomb

McDowell had his own ideas for Ireland and was following them rather than just trying to appease peope and chase votes and thats what cost him. Its a pity.

keystone

It's a poision chalice ministry. Bertie will give it to someone who won't be so outspoken and naive this time.

It's probably too early for Brian Lenihan Jnr.

And I was wrong, he actually conceded just before the announcement!!

The Saint

Trotter wrote:

So.. who can do a better job than him in Justice??

Is there an obvious FF'er who can take on the crime lords?

Give it to Mary O'Rourke if she gets in!

What about Willie? He seems to have experience with dealing with firearms.:D

Darkbloom

keystone wrote:

Didn't he want to kick Sinn Fein and the IRA when they finally put their guns down.....he's a brave and intrelligent minister.....NOT!!!!!!

No, my dear moron. He's never been afraid to speak out against the Shinners, even in that period a while ago when Bertie was cosying up to them.

Health and crime are the poisoned chalices of Irish politics. I found his speech quite moving.

Apparently we don't mind crooks in politics as long as they're slick and 'one of de people'...