Michael Healy-Rae describes 'scud missile' that led to fallout with Danny

James Cox

Michael and Danny Healy-Rae are two of the most recognisable politicians in Kerry, and Ireland, after continuing a political dynasty started by their father Jackie.

The two worked closely together in campaigning and national politics until a fallout following the national fuel protests in April, which led to Michael's resignation as a junior minister.

The pair had agreed to vote with the Government when it was formed following the 2024 general election.

According to sources, Taoiseach Micheál Martin informed Michael that the agreement was the brothers were a package deal, which came to an end as Danny turned against the Coalition amid public fury over fuel prices.

In an upcoming RTÉ documentary, the brothers both contribute with Michael referring to the "scud missile", that led to their fallout.

Speaking in the documentary, Michael said: "We always got on fine until this scud missile. Sure, God, your older brother. It isn't as though you have a hundred of them or anything like that. But when it comes to being thoughtful about what you're doing, I'd have concerns about things like that. But like, do you know, your family is your family."

He added: "I'm just putting what has happened into a box. I'm putting it in the back of my head because that's what I was trained to do. And I'm going to get on with it. I'm not going to be looking behind me because I'll fall over what's in front of me, and I won't allow myself get into that trap. So I am not going to be dissecting this anymore. That's it. It’s a case of ball burst, game over, get a new ball and go down the field with it. Simple as that."

Danny said: "I see no bombs or no missiles or anything like that. We're fairly close to each other, but, nothing like that."

He added: "What happened in the Dáil was a culmination of many months and I would say even years of anger and mistrust building up on people on this government and indeed the previous government. Micheál Martin wasn’t listening at all and I went back a couple of months there when I asked him different questions under promised legislation, he actually made fun of me, smirked at me. Then when the protests came and when people, you know, were blaming me, I couldn't see any point in supporting the leadership any further.

"It was easy for me to make a decision then on a vote which concerned the government headed by Micheál Martin. I'm elected by the people of Kerry. And if Micheal Martin decides to laugh at my question on behalf of the people of Kerry, he's laughing at the people of Kerry that elected me, or smirking. And that's what he was doing and did it a number of times. So that hurt me because I knew it would be hurting the people of Kerry. I was getting disillusioned and upset and fed up with them in general because they weren’t honouring their agreement.”

In the documentary Danny and his adult children express disappointment at Michael laying the blame on the older Healy-Rae for the ministerial resignation.

Government supports that were agreed after the protests are due to expire on September 1st, with an imminent rise in petrol and diesel prices sparking fears of further protests.

A backbench Fine Gael TD has expressed "major concern" over the phasing out of government fuel support measures.

Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan told BreakingNews.ie that the expected phasing out of fuel measures "should be stalled".

The Healy Raes Blood, Sweat & Tears will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9:35pm tomorrow, Wednesday August 19th.