O'Callaghan dismisses speculation over Martin's FF leadership after Kelleher vote

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025 - 21:58

Olivia Kelleher

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said that he wants Micheál Martin to continue as leader of Fianna Fáil into the next election as he dismissed suggestions of a lack of harmony within the party after MEP Billy Kelleher received a much stronger than expected parliamentary party vote against Jim Gavin.

The former Dublin GAA boss, who was endorsed by the Fianna Fáil leader, secured the party nomination for President by 41 votes to 29 for Mr Kelleher.

Speaking at the Liam Lynch commemoration at Kilcrumper in Co Cork today, Mr O’Callaghan refuted suggestions that the party vote on the presidency was a litmus test on Micheál Martin’s leadership.

"No, I don't believe so. The reason Billy Kelleher did well in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is that people who voted for Billy thought he was an excellent candidate or they thought he was a deserving candidate.

"Those of us who voted for Jim Gavin did so on the basis we thought he was an excellent candidate as well and had an excellent chance of winning."

"So there was nothing in my assessment of it related to the leadership of the party.

"It was all about who the individuals in the parliamentary party thought would be best placed to win the presidential election."

Mr O’Callaghan said that he would like to see the Taoiseach leading the party into the next general election.

"I would welcome that - Micheál Martin's longevity is something to be admired. People had written him off many years ago and he has come back to lead the country as Taoiseach again.

"I want to see him to stay in that position as long as possible."

When asked about former Fine Gael Taoiseach Leo Vardakar’s description of some Fianna Fáil politicians as vampires, Mr O’Callaghan said that he was “trying to sell his book".

"Perhaps that is a good way of trying to up sales. I wish him well with his book, by the way. But I don't think there are too many vampires in Fianna Fáil - in fact I have never encountered any vampires in Fianna Fáil....yet.”