Is Paul Gogarty actually mad?

[TommyO'Brien]

Fine Gael Education Spokesperson Brian Hayes TD sent out a press release last week where he said he was concerned about Paul Gogarty's mental health.

The Evening Herald covered comments by Deputy Gogarty yesterday where he said he at one stage recently seriously considered resigning from the Greens and becoming an Independent TD. (I can't find the article on Herald.ie).

In Mirian Lord's (always excellent) Saturday column in the Irish Times she has writes about Deputy Gogarty's schenanigans at a recent incinerator meeting in Rathcoole.

When asked about the article in the Herald yesterday, Deputy Gogarty seems to engage in some double speak (also covered by Miriam Lord).

The rest of the piece by Miriam Lord is well worth a read, however Dep Gogarty's behaviour continues to shock and surprise, and I do wonder if we should look back on Deputy Hayes' remarks 9 days ago for a moment. Firstly, it would seem normally bad form for a press office to make such personal remarks in a press release, particularly about mental health, but I have to ask, did Deputy Hayes have a point?

I think after Gogarty's latest antics, Hayes may well have a very valid point.

[staunch ff]

The guy was goaded by a halfwit and Gogarty did was to politely tell him to eff off. I do it every day of the week with people like Stagg

[OceanFrog]

The guy was goaded by a halfwit and Gogarty did was to politely tell him to eff off. I do it every day of the week with people like Stagg

Lol!!!

That post explains precisely why you are "staunch FF"!!!

Also, nice use of the word "politely". If you do what Gogarty did every day of the week you must be a very very classy guy indeed ...

[Mar Tweedy]

It was classic stuff . I hate the sellout Greens , but if Gogarty was in my constituency , Id give him my number 1.Respect!

Really? Wow, I didn't believe it was a calculated stunt by Gogarty because for him to do would require massive stupidity on behalf of voters. I didn't believe voters were so stupid as to be so easily won over by a few expletives and ignore what he has voted on: NAMA, social welfare cuts, cut in allowance for the blind, education cuts etc etc. Maybe it was a calculated stunt then if you're standard of selecting a candidate is indicative of a trend.

[Murra]

Really? Wow, I didn't believe it was a calculated stunt by Gogarty because for him to do would require massive stupidity on behalf of voters. I didn't believe voters were so stupid as to be so easily won over by a few expletives and ignore what he has voted on: NAMA, social welfare cuts, cut in allowance for the blind, education cuts etc etc. Maybe it was a calculated stunt then if you're standard of selecting a candidate is indicative of a trend.

Thats what we have to deal with in this country - morons who vote for people they 'respect' - not for what they do but for what they say... which is not always the same thing. We need serious political education in this country. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it should be a compulsary subject in school.

Frankly, I think it was a calculated stunt to divert attention from the real issue i.e. that Gogarty has voted FOR NAMA and FOR the cuts while simultaneously trying to salve his conscience.

[OceanFrog]

I didn't believe voters were so stupid as to be so easily won over by a few expletives and ignore what he has voted on: NAMA, social welfare cuts, cut in allowance for the blind, education cuts etc etc. Maybe it was a calculated stunt then if you're standard of selecting a candidate is indicative of a trend.

Frankly, I think it was a calculated stunt to divert attention from the real issue i.e. that Gogarty has voted FOR NAMA and FOR the cuts while simultaneously trying to salve his conscience.

Interesting posts from two GP supporters (former supporters??) who now seem to oppose current Green Party direction.

So whats the story lads? Are you now opposing the Greens in Govt or are you still firm supporters?

[FutureTaoiseach]

Meanwhile, Gogo was in the news again this week after telling a local newspaper that leaving the Green Party had crossed his mind. This led to the headline in yesterday's Evening Herald - "I Nearly Quit Greens to Become Independent." Gogarty, who says he didn't speak to the newspaper, has an explanation."If somebody asks: 'Did you ever consider resigning?' the question will cross your mind. It has crossed my mind. But I have never threatened to resign.
"Put it this way. If somebody asked me to cook a kitten in a microwave, the thought would cross my mind. But I'm an animal-loving vegetarian, so I wouldn't do it."

He seems to be playing a role similar to that of Michael McDowell in 1989-92 in terms of criticising the senior partner in govt - possibly to keep the party rank-and-file on side by demonstrating the Greens still have a separate identity from Fianna Fáil. Rolling around on the ground is a bit much, however (don't think McDowell did that). I don't think he's mad, but I do think he is under a lot of stress and is frustrated at the compromises his party is having to make to remain in govt. Such shenanigans may be a manifestation of that.

[Mar Tweedy]

He seems to be playing a role similar to that of Michael McDowell in 1989-92 in terms of criticising the senior partner in govt - possibly to keep the party rank-and-file on side by demonstrating the Greens still have a separate identity from Fianna Fáil. Rolling around on the ground is a bit much, however (don't think McDowell did that). I don't think he's mad, but I do think he is under a lot of stress and is frustrated at the compromises his party is having to make to remain in govt. Such shenanigans may be a manifestation of that.

I agree. I think the decisions are likely causing him genuine strain. The comments on facebook, blogs, if genuinely his, indicate someone who is completely self-obsessed at this stage. I hope for his sake he is minding his mental health but that he doesn't lose every shred of integrity in the process.

[truthisfree]

The guy was goaded by a halfwit and Gogarty did was to politely tell him to eff off. I do it every day of the week with people like Stagg

I am sure you do, it is the main political tactic, bully to get your way.
I think Gogarty is driven crazy be the shenanigans in Irish politics, how could any sane person not be?

[Mar Tweedy]

Interesting posts from two GP supporters (former supporters??) who now seem to oppose current Green Party direction.

So whats the story lads? Are you now opposing the Greens in Govt or are you still firm supporters?

Ha! Lol that you have noticed. I haven't been on p.ie much lately. I did support the Greens going into govt in 2007, was very disiullusioned in 2008 but prepared to hang on on a suck it for a bit longer and see but since NAMA and the cuts I'm completely gone and will not be voting Green again under the current strategy and leadership. I think they've set the green agenda back in Ireland for 5-10 years. It was a stereotype in the past that green politics is very middle-class but this Govt's policies have shown this to be the case - actually its not even middle-class who are also badly affected by policies. The Green party is supporting policies that chose to leave the rich relatively protected and annihilate poorer and more vulnerable people and communities. Not my politics and I'm suffering a bit of shame that my vote went to support this sh*te. Its sad that Gogarty is now repeating the Thatcherite mantra "there is no alternative" but the truth is this govt has a lot in common with Thatcher's politics.