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BOBBY MOLLOY, THE former Fianna Fáil TD and one of the founders of the Progressive Democrats, has died aged 80.
Molloy served in many different cabinet positions over a 30-year career in Dail Éireann.
He is probably best remembered for the fraught nature of the circumstances in which he left Fianna Fáil, along with fellow renegade Dessie O’Malley, in 1986.
He served with Fianna Fáil for just over 20 years after his first election in 1965 in Galway.
Molloy was a member of the so-called ‘Gang of 22′ who opposed Charles Haughey’s leadership of the party following Haughey’s victory over George Colley in 1979.
He was subsequently dropped as Minister for Defence by Haughey. Ironically, he would serve under Haughey in cabinet once more as Minister for Energy in 1989, but this time as a member of the PDs in coalition with Fianna Fáil.
Other Ministerial posts held by Molloy included Minister for Local Government in the early 70s under Jack Lynch, and Minister for Housing under Bertie Ahern from 1997 until his retirement from politics in 2002.
Current Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin this afternoon expressed his condolences at the news of Molloy’s death, saying he was “very saddened” to hear the news.
“Bobby was a man of great personal warmth, integrity and purpose. Having worked with him in cabinet, I had the opportunity to witness first hand his singular focus on the issue of homelessness,” Martin said.
He brought a distinct focus and energy to the issue, and the interdepartmental approach that he adopted to tackle homelessness was a particularly successful strategy in its time.
The Taoiseach meanwhile described Molloy as “a tireless campaigner for his native Galway”, while President Higgins, who shared Molloy’s constituency as a TD, said that he had learned of his death “with great sadness”.
“Throughout his career, he gave excellent service over several decades and his name is recalled with great affection throughout the constituency (Galway West),” he said.
His life in politics began before mine, and on every platform he served, he delivered his contribution, which was always well informed, with great distinction.
A former mayor of Galway, Bobby Molloy is survived by his wife Phyllis, sons Donnacha and Dara, and daughters Sinéad and Sorcha.
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Bobby Molloy broke the stranglehold the taxi drivers held on our cities and towns for that alone he deserves great credit
This story is about the death of a great Politcian no taxi plates. This was a man who stood up to a bully along with O’Malley. He was an honourable man.
I think you’ll find it was the High Court who found it was an illegal monopoly. Bobby Molloy only reacted to the judgement because he was obliged to.
Whatever about his politics, I think a more appropriate photograph would be in order the man looks like he’s been on the piss for a few decades
@Cosmo Kramer:
How much did your plate set you back?
May he rest in peace.
I always felt that he was a person of principle.
It would be great to have politicians of his caliber serving in any government.
RIP
The political situation in this country has made me so cynical when I see this type of news I say TG an other pension saved. God forgive me.
I thought it was Vincent Browne from the thumbnail pic
Big Bird?
The man achieved nothing in his political career a waste of a salary and pension he was a faciest
@Upowthat Burke:
There is always one gob***te
Those damn faciests.
Everywhere they are. Facing at us in a facy way.
One of the few Irish politicians I’d have any respect for.
http://www.independent.ie/…/rapist-at-centre-of-molloy-resignation-case-loses-appeal-2642…;
I see many are commenting about the great man Molloy . Mr Molloy had to resign his position as a Junior Minister in Government when it was revealed he tried to contact to judge to intervene of behalf of a person who was on trial for raping his Daughter. The man concerned was found guilty and jailed for 11 years. So Now He Is a Hero We See!
His greatest achievement was walking away from FF
RIP
Best known for doing away with the hire purchase agreement s in esb
@Michael Lyons: a lot of people missed that!
The great unwashed here are always so magnanimous when a pol croaks it. If he was around today he’d be getting dogs abuse from the Journal pond life!!
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