O'Caolain undergoes major heart operation.

[cavan.one]

Although not a member of SF i feel compelled to send wishes of a speedy recovery to Cav/Mon TD Caoimghin O'Caolain following his unexpected heart operation in St. James's in Dublin yesterday and to wish him full health following his emergency operation, a good man and he needs our prayers and his familys best interests at this time, also sincere sympathy's to Independent TD Paudge Connolly on the death of his brother Enda last week following a car accident, another young man with a young family a victim of our roads.

[RBinge]

Can I also add my sympathies and hopes for a speedy recovery also.

[Abaddon]

Very surprised to hear this. Hope Caoimhín has a full and quick recovery. Best wishes to the man.

[gaelach]

Very surprised to hear this. Hope Caoimhín has a full and quick recovery. Best wishes to the man.

Same as.

[The Analyser]

I echo that. I disagree with his politics but wish him a speedy recovery. The Irish electorate aren't always sympathetic to people recovering from illness - one of the reasons the late Jim Mitchell lost his seat was because constituents complained that he was not working hard enough for them. He'd just had a liver transplant, had survived cancer (which tragically came back and killed him) was chairing a vitally important Oireachtas Committee!!! So I hope Caoimhin gets the sympathy of his constituents and doesn't feel the need to push himself too hard too soon; his health is more important than any Dáil seat. And that they won't hold his forced absence while recovering against him.

[RUMOUR MONGER]

IS THERE ANY TRUTH IN THIS STORY

[KeithM]

I echo that. I disagree with his politics but wish him a speedy recovery. The Irish electorate aren't always sympathetic to people recovering from illness - one of the reasons the late Jim Mitchell lost his seat was because constituents complained that he was not working hard enough for them. He'd just had a liver transplant, had survived cancer (which tragically came back and killed him) was chairing a vitally important Oireachtas Committee!!! So I hope Caoimhin gets the sympathy of his constituents and doesn't feel the need to push himself too hard too soon; his health is more important than any Dáil seat. And that they won't hold his forced absence while recovering against him.

Mitchell lost his seat because he represented FG in Dublin. That was a combination that was poison to the electorate in 2002, and hasn't change significantly since.

[KingKane]

I would like wish Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin a speedy and successful recovery if he has in fact had surgery. However, is there any source for this story?

KeithM, Jim Mitchell lost his seat in large part because of his health problems and because he lost a significant portion of his base in the constituency in the previous redraw.

[The Analyser]

I echo that. I disagree with his politics but wish him a speedy recovery. The Irish electorate aren't always sympathetic to people recovering from illness - one of the reasons the late Jim Mitchell lost his seat was because constituents complained that he was not working hard enough for them. He'd just had a liver transplant, had survived cancer (which tragically came back and killed him) was chairing a vitally important Oireachtas Committee!!! So I hope Caoimhin gets the sympathy of his constituents and doesn't feel the need to push himself too hard too soon; his health is more important than any Dáil seat. And that they won't hold his forced absence while recovering against him.

Mitchell lost his seat because he represented FG in Dublin. That was a combination that was poison to the electorate in 2002, and hasn't change significantly since.

Local polls showed that he lost his seat because a combination of his roles as Chairman of the PAC and his ill health meant that he had to cut back his legendary constituency work by 70%. He regularly survived blips in FG support. In that case, however, it was his frequent absence from the constituency that according to a number of polls was the decisive factor, as was the redrawing of his constituency boundaries.

[DOD]

Sorry to hear this (if it is true.) Caoimghin is an absolute gentleman and a man of integrity. I hope he gets better soon.