Fueding Healy-Rae brothers could be on a collision course if Kerry is broken into two constituencies – but here’s how that split could play right into the hands of the dynasty’s next generation
Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, the feuding Independent TDs, are reportedly planning to expand their family's political dynasty to three Dáil seats when Kerry's single five-seat constituency is split into two three-seat North and South divisions at the next general election. Despite a bitter public falling-out following Michael's resignation from government after last April's fuel protests, sources close to the brothers say the boundary redraw actually plays into their hands by giving the next generation of the family room to run alongside them, even as government sources hope the rift will cost the clan a seat rather than gain one.
Under the plan, Michael could run with his son and local councillor Michael Healy-Rae junior in the family's southern Kerry stronghold, while Danny or his daughter Maura, also a county councillor, would contest the other constituency. The Healy-Raes have not lost an election in 50 years, and Michael won the second-highest number of first-preference votes nationally in 2024, though the family has had narrow escapes before, including their late father Jackie surviving by just 202 votes in 2002 and 55 in 2007. Electoral analyst Adrian Kavanagh predicts the new Kerry South seat will become a fiercely contested "constituency group of death," with Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Independents and the Social Democrats all expected to mount challenges.
In short
- Healy-Rae brothers aim to expand from two to three Dáil seats.
- Kerry likely to split into two three-seat constituencies.
- Family feud persists, but insiders say redraw benefits their dynasty's future.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Splitting Kerry into two constituencies could give voters clearer local representation and create space for another generation of Healy-Raes to stand, while Michael and Danny compete in different areas. The family’s long electoral record and strong local support suggest that voters may value their experience and constituency work, even amid the brothers’ public rift.
The case against
The split could also weaken the family’s position by dividing its support and forcing candidates to compete in smaller, more crowded contests. Voters may see passing seats to relatives as entrenching a political dynasty, while the brothers’ feud and strong challenges from other parties and independents could make the family’s established support less reliable.
Explained simply
Kerry has traditionally elected five members of Ireland’s parliament, the Dáil, from one constituency. A constituency is an electoral area, and its boundaries determine which voters choose each representative; dividing Kerry into northern and southern areas would change how those votes are grouped.
The Healy-Rae family has represented parts of Kerry for decades. Brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae are independent TDs, meaning they sit in the Dáil without belonging to a political party, and other family members are local councillors.
The proposed change matters because each new area would elect fewer TDs than the existing five-seat constituency. That could affect the family’s chances of keeping seats or electing younger relatives, while voters would also face contests involving candidates from several parties and independent groups.