Dorothy Height
American activist (1912-2010)
Charles Haughey
7th Taoiseach from 1979 to 1981; 1982; 1987 to 1992
Charles Haughey was a prominent Irish politician who served as the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland multiple times. His career was marked by both significant achievements in transforming the Irish economy as well as major scandals that tarnished his legacy. He was a dominant figure in Irish politics, but also a controversial one.
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About the Charles Haughey
Charles James Haugheywas an Irish Fianna Fail politician who led four governments as Taoiseach: December 1979 to June 1981, March to December 1982, March 1987 to June 1989, and June 1989 to February 1992. He was also Minister for the Gaeltacht from 1987 to 1992, Leader of the Opposition from 1981 to 1982 and 1982 to 1987, Leader of Fianna Fail from 1979 to 1992, Minister for Social Welfare and for Health from 1977 to 1979, Minister for Finance from 1966 to 1970, Minister for Agriculture from 1964 to 1966, Minister for Justice from 1961 to 1964 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice from 1959 to 1961. He served as a Teachta Dalafrom 1957 to 1992.
Haughey was first elected to Dail Eireann as a Fianna Fail TD in 1957 and was re-elected at every election until 1992, representing successively the Dublin North-East, Dublin Artane and Dublin North-Central constituencies.
Haughey was the dominant Irish politician of his generation, as well as the most controversial. Upon entering government in the early 1960s, Haughey became the symbol of a new vanguard of Irish Ministers. As Taoiseach, he is credited by some economists with starting the positive transformation of the economy in the late 1980s. However, his career was also marked by several major scandals. Haughey was implicated in the Arms Crisis of 1970, which nearly destroyed his career. His political reputation revived, his tenure as Taoiseach was then damaged by the sensational GUBU Affair in 1982; his party leadership was challenged four times, each time unsuccessfully, earning Haughey the nickname “The Great Houdini”. Revelations about his role in a phone tapping scandal forced him to resign as Taoiseach and retire from politics in 1992.
After Haughey’s forced retirement, further revelations of political corruption, embezzlement, tax evasion and a 27-year extra-marital affair further tarnished his reputation and legacy. He died of prostate cancer in 2006, aged 80.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Haughey was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland four times between 1979 and 1992. He was a dominant figure in Irish politics, but also a controversial one.
Charles Haughey held various positions in the Irish government, including Minister for the Gaeltacht, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Social Welfare and Health, Minister for Finance, Minister for Agriculture, and Minister for Justice. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1957 to 1992.
Haughey’s career was marked by several major scandals, including his involvement in the Arms Crisis of 1970, the sensational GUBU Affair in 1982, and a phone tapping scandal that forced him to resign as Taoiseach in 1992. After his retirement, further revelations of political corruption, embezzlement, and tax evasion further tarnished his reputation.
As Taoiseach, Haughey is credited by some economists with starting the positive transformation of the Irish economy in the late 1980s. However, his career was also marked by controversies and scandals that overshadowed his achievements.
Revelations about Haughey’s personal life, including a 27-year extra-marital affair, further tarnished his reputation and legacy after he left politics. He died of prostate cancer in 2006 at the age of 80.