'I really thought he was going to change our country'

CONSTITUENCY REACTION:THERE WAS much criticism of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny in George Lee's Dublin South constituency, where shoppers were shocked at the deputy's departure.

It had not taken long for the news to reach the SuperValu outlet on Braemor Road in Churchtown yesterday afternoon, where Mr Lee was repeatedly described as “honest” and “decent”, if a perhaps “a little bit naive about politics”.

Marie Deveney from Rathgar said she was disappointed because she believed Mr Lee’s economic expertise was not utilised in Fine Gael. She suggested this might have been because others were protecting their own positions.

“I voted Fianna Fáil all my life but I loved George Lee. I really thought he was going to change our country. We thought he would be on the front bench and not on the back bench. It was daft,” she said. “I definitely think a lot of them begrudged him coming in.”

Mona Tierney from Churchtown said Mr Lee had created some excitement about Fine Gael by joining the party. “They need something to revive Fine Gael . . . Enda Kenny is such a wet blanket.”

An exasperated Anne Brennan, now living in Clonskeagh, said: “I’m from Mayo. I want to like Enda Kenny.”

She had thought Mr Lee was “a breath of fresh air” who was going to bring something new to the political scene.

“He has proven something which is really sad. You can enter politics with the greatest integrity and honesty but if you want to stay there you have to change.”

Tony and Monica Ryan from Rathfarnham said they were shocked. They too put Mr Lee’s decision down to “jealous” TDs in his own party. “If a fellow has a good idea it’s only a good idea if the boss has it,” Mr Ryan said.

Quite a few shoppers thought Mr Lee had made the right decision. Ann Byrne from Churchtown, who said she voted for him, said she thought he was “much more valuable” as a journalist. “I think he’s wonderful. Good luck to him. How many of them are that honest?”

There was some criticism of Mr Lee, however. One woman who said she had canvassed for him pronounced herself “really disgusted”.

Liam McBride from Rathfarnham said he had voted for Mr Lee but would not vote in another byelection. “He should’ve lasted it out. I think it’s a bit premature. I think he probably thought he was going to have more say and more power. Long-established TDs weren’t having it. He could’ve made a difference.”

Brenda Fearon from Dartry said in her view Mr Lee had not been prepared to go through the training other new TDs must endure. “He wanted to be top dog the minute he got in,” she added.

Not everyone was so tuned in, however. Nick Murphy (21) from Clonskeagh asked: “Who’s George Lee? I know who George Hook is.”