Healy-Raes criticised for attending funerals of people they do not know

Independent TDs Danny and Michael Healy-Rae have been criticised by Fianna Fáil for attending funerals of people they do not know and for sending so-called "bereavement packs" to families in Kerry.

The criticism was led by Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill, who said he had an issue with politicians, including the Healy-Raes, going to the funeral of someone they did not know as it was an insult to the deceased.

Mr Cahill said his sister had received a “bereavement pack” from the Healy-Raes when her husband died recently. The packs include a poem, a Mass card and practical information such as details about funeral grants, pensions and other social welfare benefits.

“I wasn’t one bit impressed with that,” Mr Cahill told Radio Kerry. “Unless I know the deceased or a member of the grieving family, I won’t go [to the funeral]. It is despicable behaviour and actually an insult to the deceased and the family.”

Mr Cahill said the issue was not the number of funerals attended by the Healy-Raes but that they attended funerals where they were not known. He added the funeral packs were the subject of much discussion in Kerry.

Michael Healy-Rae said neither he or his brother attended funerals of strangers and defended sending out the funeral packs.

“The truth is I do know everyone whose funeral I attend . . . we do know the people,” he said.

Mass cards

Mr Healy-Rae added that he had lost four people, including his mother and father, in an eight-month period and had very much appreciated the boxes of Mass cards and letters he received and all those who attended the funerals.

On occasion, the TD brothers and their nephew, Johnny, a councillor, have been known to attend a number of funerals in a day. Sometimes all three turn up at the same removal. The brothers left the general election count to attend one.

It is noted in Kerry that the Healy-Raes have a habit of signing a funeral visitors’ book in red or green ink.

The criticism by Fianna Fáil reflects the party’s decision to adopt a more robust approach to the Healy-Raes.

Recently, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae was denied the mayorality of Killarney with the help of Fianna Fáil. Ms Healy-Rae who was co-opted onto Kerry County Council after the election of her father Danny to Dáil had expected to assume the office of mayor in June as part of a pact entered into by Danny in 2014.

However, Fianna Fáil said the agreement "ended the day Danny Healy-Rae ceased to be a member of Kerry County Council" following his election to the Dáil.