Former Taoiseach turns 80
Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey, who has been ill with prostate cancer for a number of years, celebrates his 80th birthday today.
Mr Haughey now rarely leaves the grounds of his Kinsealy estate except for medical reasons.
A statue was unveiled in Dingle, Co Kerry, to the former Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader several weeks ago.
Mr Haughey was unable to leave his Kinsealy home due to illness but sent a message to the people of Dingle saying he sincerely appreciated the decision of fishermen to erect the statute.
His brother, Fr Eoin Haughey, and his children, Eimear, Sean, Ciaran and Conor, attended the unveiling of the statue in the town.
The former Taoiseach had been a long-time visitor to the Dingle region and the commemorative statue was erected for his work in providing a new marina and his promotion of the fishing industry.
Mr Haughey was first elected Taoiseach in 1979 and retired from active politics in 1992.
The former leader, renowned for his expensive tastes, has appeared before the Moriarty Tribunal which was probing high-level corruption in Ireland.
The house and lands of Haughey’s Kinsealy estate have been sold to developers but it will be several years before they are built on.
