Latest news with #Hanafin
Scotsman
06-08-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Tributes pour in after sudden death of popular Fife Ice Arena manager in Kirkcaldy
A man has died after becoming unwell at the Fife Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tributes have poured in following the sudden death of Fife Ice Arena manager Billy Hanafin. Mr Hanafin was hailed as a charismatic character and a loyal family man, whose face was known to everyone who passed through the venue's doors every day of the week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He died after becoming unwell at the Rosslyn Street rink on Tuesday. Emergency services attended after the alarm was raised around 10.25am, but were unable to save him. Billy Hanafin was a familiar, much loved figure at Fife Ice Arena (Pic: Fife Photo Agency) Mr Hanafin had been at the helm of the sports venue for eight years. He joined Fife Ice Arena in 2017 after a decade with OnFife where he was an operations manager at Fife Cultural Trust, responsible for 51 sites and more than 290 staff covering museums, libraries, theatres/conference centre facilities and mobile library provisions. Prior to that, he was the training manager and deputy head community use at Kirkland High School and Kennoway Primary – but sport was a huge part of his life, and the rink was his second home. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad During Covid lockdown, Mr Hanafin was at the helm of major changes to the historic building as it prepared to re-open to an uncertain future. It was personal as well as business. Billy Hanafin on centre ice at Fife Ice Arena (Pic: Fife Photo Agency) 'Sport is my life. I love this place,' he said. 'This is an incredible place. When I'm in here on my own, you feel it seeping into you. On match nights, I love to be out front. You can't help, but get involved in the atmosphere of the building.' Mr Hanafin – a devoted family man – was front of house every night when the doors opened for a Fife Flyers' game, and knew many of the fans who poured through the doors. Flyers hailed him as 'a familiar and friendly face seen around the rink'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A tribute issued from managers of the ice rink described Mr Hanafin as 'a charismatic character and loyal family man', adding: 'A passionate sports fan, Billy will not only be deeply missed by colleagues and patrons here in Kirkcaldy, but across the wider sporting community. Our thoughts and deepest condolences remain firmly with Billy's family and friends following today's devastating events.' Tributes also poured in from hockey fans, ice skaters and players, past and present. They all spoke of a man who went out his way to help, and who understood the importance of sport in the lives of people across the generations.
Extra.ie
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Why Hanafin is being told 'no chance' after expressing intentions for Áras
Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin has written to every member of the parliamentary party expressing her interest in contesting the upcoming Presidential election. It is understood that Fianna Fáil TDs, senators and MEPs will be asked to vote to nominate their preferred Presidential candidate next month. Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday categorically ruled himself out of a tilt at the Áras. Ms Hanafin, who served in the Cabinet for seven years across four different departments, said she believed the party should have a candidate and asked that her name be considered. Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin has written to every member of the parliamentary party expressing her interest in contesting the upcoming Presidential election. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos In an email to members, seen by Ms Hanafin wrote: 'I write in connection with the forthcoming Presidential election. I believe strongly that Fianna Fáil should contest this election to ensure our values are reflected in the debates on the future of our country.' She added: 'After 30 years as an elected Fianna Fáil representative, including 11 as a Government minister, I would like to express my interest in contesting this election.' Ms Hanafin said she looked forward to setting out her vision for her candidacy when the parliamentary party returns from the Dáil summer recess. Ms Hanafin, who served in the Cabinet for seven years across four different departments, said she believed the party should have a candidate and asked that her name be considered. Pic: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland 'We do not know yet what the selection process will be but I look forward to setting out my vision at that stage,' she said. 'In the meantime, I will continue to attend events around the country, make good use of time and hopefully meet you on my travels. I look forward to speaking with you personally and I wish you a well-deserved rest and enjoyable holiday.' Ms Hanafin has previously butted heads with party leadership, and was accused of 'disloyalty' when she ran for a council seat in south Dublin against Mr Martin's wishes. Ms Hanafin has previously butted heads with party leadership, and was accused of 'disloyalty' when she ran for a council seat in south Dublin against Mr Martin's wishes. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin. Several TDs told that they did not believe that Ms Hanafin would be successful in getting the party's backing to contest the election. 'She's certainly determined, but I don't think she has any hope of getting the nomination,' one TD said. 'No chance,' said another TD bluntly when asked about Ms Hanafin's prospects. Meanwhile, Mr Martin said he is 'definitely not' going to contest the Presidential election. 'I was elected, you know, I went to the people to say I wanted to serve Cork South-Central and I wanted to lead Fianna Fáil into Government,' he told RTÉ's Today With Claire Byrne yesterday. Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday categorically ruled himself out of a tilt at the Áras. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 'I made that obligation to the public, and that's the context. No disrespect to the Presidency or anything, but I gave commitments to the people that I would serve in Dáil Éireann for the next five years, and that is what I'm going to do.' Mr Martin said the party had been taking 'soundings' from within the parliamentary party about prospective candidates, adding he was not responsible for the party being linked with several potential candidates. 'A lot of names have been floated in association with Fianna Fáil. I'm not responsible for the flotation of any of those names, just to make that very clear,' he said. The Fianna Fáil leader also said he had not met with Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan about being the party's candidate in the November election. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland The Fianna Fáil leader also said he had not met with Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan about being the party's candidate in the November election. Several reports have stated that Ms Heenan has met with Fianna Fáil party officials about the prospect of running under the Fianna Fáil banner. In contrast to Ms Hanafin, Ms Heenan received a broadly positive reception from TDs and senators when they were contacted by and asked if they would support her. Several of our party sources said they first came across Ms Heenan when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). 'In some ways I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes,' they said. 'She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday Event and would fit the mould of what Micheál [Martin] would want.' At the event, Prof. Heenan was on stage alongside former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, his former adviser on Northern Ireland and ex-minister Martin Mansergh, as well as Mr Martin. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the GFA,' the source added. 'She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA when in her view it is not complete and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels.' The source added: 'She was the most impressive speaker that day, I remember that.' In 2012, Prof. Heenan was appointed by outgoing President Michael D Higgins to his Council of State as one of the seven personal nominees of the Head of State. The Council of State advises the President when they are considering referring a bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality, refusing to dissolve the Dáil on the advice from the Taoiseach or declaring a state of emergency.
Irish Examiner
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Taoiseach 'definitely not' running in presidential election as Mary Hanafin seeks backing
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has emphatically ruled himself out of running in the presidential election. The Fianna Fáil leader had been suggested as a contender in the race for the Áras, but he has now said his hat will not be in the ring. When asked if he would be in the running to replace Michael D Higgins, Mr Martin said he was "definitely not" going to run. 'A lot of names have been floated in association with Fianna Fáil," Mr Martin told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. "I'm not responsible for the flotation of any of those names, just to make that very clear. "I was elected. I went to the people to say I wanted to serve Cork South Central and I wanted to lead Fianna Fáil into Government. I made that obligation to the public, and that's the context. "No disrespect to the presidency or anything, but I gave commitments to the people that I would serve in Dail Éireann for the next five years and that is what I'm going to do." He said Fianna Fáil will decide on what it will do in the presidential election in the coming weeks and he is 'taking soundings' from the parliamentary party on the matter. Fianna Fáil last ran a candidate in 1997 with Mary McAleese. Hanafin seeks backing for presidential run It comes as former minister Mary Hanafin has written to members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party seeking their backing for a presidential run. Ms Hanafin, a former Fianna Fáil TD for Dun Laoghaire and former education minister, has expressed interest in recent weeks in contesting the election. Last week, she told the McGill Summer School it would be an 'insult' if Fianna Fáil did not run a candidate in the election, which is widely expected to take place in October. In a message sent to members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, seen by the Irish Examiner, Ms Hanafin asked for their support in seeking a nomination. 'I believe strongly that Fianna Fáil should contest this election to ensure our values are reflected in the debates on the future of our country,' she said. After 30 years as an elected Fianna Fáil representative, including 11 as a Government Minister, I would like to express my interest in contesting this election. 'We do not know yet what the selection process will be but I look forward to setting out my vision at that stage. 'In the meantime, I will continue to attend events around the country, make good use of time and hopefully meet you on my travels. 'I look forward to speaking with you personally and I wish you a well deserved rest and enjoyable holiday.' However, the Irish Examiner understands there is little support in the party for Ms Hanafin, with one party member saying she 'did not have a hope' of getting on the ticket. Another TD said she would not have many fans within the party. It is unclear if the Taoiseach is supportive of the idea, with reports suggesting earlier this week that Ulster University president Deirdre Heenan is his preferred candidate. Mr Martin on Wednesday denied that he had been in contact with Ms Heenan. Other names in the mix for the Fianna Fáil nomination include former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan and footballers Packie Bonner and Niall Quinn. The Irish Examiner reported on Monday that Éamon Ó Cuiv was another name being touted as a possible Fianna Fáil presidential candidate. The former Galway West TD said he is waiting for the party to confirm it is running a candidate. However, the party's candidate is not expected to be confirmed until September. So far, Independent TD Catherine Connolly and former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness have announced that they will run. Ms Connolly has the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, while Ms McGuinness will be Fine Gael's candidate for the presidential election. The election must take place on or up to 60 days before November 11, 2025.
Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Inside the life and career of Mary Hanafin amid Presidential bid
Former Fianna Fáil TD Mary Hanafin is one of the only people who has confirmed their desire to be put forward for the upcoming Presidential Election later this year. The Tipperary woman told Brendan O'Connor on his RTÉ Radio 1 show over the weekend that she had spoken to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin about her desire to run for the party. Current president Michael D Higgins cannot run for re-election, having served 14 years in the role. Former Fianna Fáil TD Mary Hanafin is one of the only people who has confirmed their desire to be put forward for the upcoming Presidential Election later this year. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins With speculation as to when the election is set to take place and questions about who is going to run, we take a look at the life and career of potential Fianna Fáil ticket, Mary Hanafin. Mary was born in Thurles, County Tipperary to parents Des and Mona Hanafin. Her father Des was a Fianna Fáil councillor in his day, and also served as a Senator on a number of occasions between 1969 and 2002. Her brother John was also a Senator from 2002 to 2011. Mary Hanafin was born in Thurles, County Tipperary to parents Des and Mona Hanafin. Her father Des was a Fianna Fáil councillor in his day, and also served as a Senator on a number of occasions between 1969 and 2002. Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins Prior to her political career, Hanafin was a secondary school teacher, teaching Irish and History in Blackrock, Co Dublin. In 1985, Mary wed Eamon Leahy. Leahy died in July 2003 at the age of 46 years old Mary has been involved in politics since she was just 15 years old, joining Ógra Fianna Fáil in her teenage years. She was elected to Dublin City Council in 1985 but failed in her bid for Dáil Éireann four years later. The now-66-year-old got into the Dáil on her second attempt in the 1997 general election where she represented the Dún Laoghaire constituency. She appeared on a number of Oireachtas committees and in 2000 got her first ministerial job, Minsiter of State for Children. Throughout her political career, Mary Hanafin has served as Minister of State; Minister for Education and Science; Minister for Social and Family Affairs; Minister for Enterprise and Minister for Tourism. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin. Throughout her political career, Hanafin has served as a Minister of State; Minister for Education and Science; Minister for Social and Family Affairs; Minister for Enterprise and Minister for Tourism. In 2011, Hanafin was appointed deputy leader of Fianna Fáil. She had put her name forward for the leader role following the resignation of Brian Cowen. In the same year, she lost her Dáil seat. Following a three-year hiatus, Hanafin became a councillor for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. In recent years, Hanafin has had a number of political upsets — she wasn't chosen for Fianna Fáil for the 2016 general election or the 2019 European Parliament election and was also unsuccessful in the 2020 general election. Speaking to Brendan O'Connor over the weekend, Ms Hanafin expressed her desire to be picked as the Fianna Fáil candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election, noting she had '30 years of public service at local and national level.' She confirmed she had spoken to An Taoiseach about her hopes, adding that he 'knows me well and knows my records in Government.' Ms Hanafin told presenter Brendan: 'I would like Fianna Fáil to run a candidate but ultimately the decision is his to make.'
The Journal
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Two more names surface for presidency bids as Mary Hanafin confirms intent to run
LAST UPDATE | 30 mins ago AS THE PRESIDENTIAL election draws nearer, more people are emerging from the woodwork to cautiously raise their hand – or in other cases, wave it furiously – for consideration for the job. Yesterday it was reported that former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin was 'in the mix' for the party nomination. Appearing on RTÉ Radio One this morning, Hanafin doubled down on her intention to snag the Fianna Fáil nomination for the office. She told Brendan O'Connor, 'Yes, I'd love the opportunity. I'd love the opportunity to be a Fianna Fáil candidate, and I'd love to bring my experience in public service, law into the job of president, which is the most important job in the country.' Hanafin said that ultimately it seemed that the decision would lie with party leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, whom she has had discussions with on the topic. She noted that Peter Power, another former minister from the party who now heads Unicef Ireland, is reportedly in talks with Fianna Fáil leadership about the possibility of contesting the presidential election, according to the Irish Independent . Advertisement Power, aged 59, was a TD for the party for Limerick East up until the financial crash. He then began as the head of Unicef Ireland in 2012 and has remained there since. He is a qualified solicitor. Hanafin stressed her record of public service and said that she strongly believes that Fianna Fáil should contest the presidency. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless this afternoon refused to be drawn on his opinions on his party's options for presidential nominations, but said that he thought there would be a candidate established throughout the summer. Outside of Fianna Fáil, Independent senator and founder of homeless and addiction charity Tiglin, Aubrey McCarthy, told Virgin Media News that the presidency was 'something to consider'. NEW – Independent senator and Tiglin founder Aubrey McCarthy tells @virginmedianews : "If there was a conversation to be had regarding… a social inclusion candidate, where housing, second chances are part of the norm… certainly I would love the opportunity" to run for #aras25 — Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) June 28, 2025 McCarthy said that he would 'love the opportunity' to run as a social inclusion candidate where 'housing, where second chances are part of the norm'. Related Reads Why are so few candidates dipping their toe in the water in the race for the Áras? He added that he was focused on his role in the Seanad, where he sits on the housing committee. McCarthy was first elected to the Seanad this year in the Dublin University constituency. The Co Kildare man has been heavily involved with projects combatting homelessness and addiction, as well as rehabilitation for those who are affected by either issue. The presidential election must take place by 11 November at the latest. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
