Joe Flaherty

Former Fianna Fáil TD for Longford-Westmeath & 33rd Dáil. Member of the 26th Seanad Eireann

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@jfjohnston Was a regular at the Longford in London Assoc dinner dances for a number of years. His Maria's Dad (Ardagh native) was a stalwart of the Assoc

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@BarryLenihan HSI presently tendering for two State contracts worth €8m. With the latest outpouring of dysfunction from this organisation, it's untenable that they are allowed to remain in the tendering process

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@BarryLenihan At every appearance at agri committee over the past four years concerns have been raised about the effectiveness and appropriateness of HSI. Needs to be defunded. Irish Horse Board already in place and can quickly pick up the pieces

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

The fuel protests didn’t come out of nowhere—they’re the result of a government that lost touch with people since last October’s budget.

We ignored the hurt and frustration. Now we need urgent cost-of-living supports for working Ireland—and an apology from the Taoiseach down.

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Top class phone pics from the garden today #Longford

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@sinead_farrell7 @RathclineGAA @FaithleachsGAA Good read sinead well done. Hon da rats

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Delighted for young Cian McPhillips & family as he makes history as first Irish athlete to qualify for the World Athletics 800m final.
The 23yr Co Longford maths student did it in style too, setting a new national record in the process
#Longford

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@tadhgcarey @The_JHS @FreeToWrite2024 @PENIreland Top honour for sure. Well done

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Birthday in the garden!
Class evening in garden with 4 top women for my 56th birthday (yes I know, i don't look it!)
Been tough few months & means so much to be here these days.
Thanks to all who sent birthday messages. Maybe just a number but some times it means so much more.

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Just the best tribute and a brilliant memory

[Seb Coe @sebcoe]

Sad to hear that Maeve Kyle, Ireland’s first female Olympian in track and field, has passed away. She was a friend.

My favourite Maeve story was track side in Florence in 1981 when I handed her my Casio watch and asked her if she could call my lap time out to me as the Italians were in fine voice that night and I knew I wouldn’t be able to properly hear or understand the Italian race caller. Off I went and as I got to the end of the first lap I snuck a look at Maeve who was just staring at my watch, not a sound came from her.
When I finished the race I went to collect my watch and said I didn’t hear you. She looked sheepishly at me and said “I didn’t call out your lap time”. I asked why not and she said “I was staring at your watch and couldn’t believe how fast you had gone through. I thought something had happened to the watch and didn’t want to call a wrong time and mess up your race. So I thought I would say nothing and, if the watch was right, you would just keep going at that pace”. Which, or course I did running under 1.42 for the first time and setting the 800m World Record which stood for 16 years.

Thank you for a flood of great memories my friend

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@ComedianConn @KillavullenGaa Maith an buachaill

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@grok @RMcGreevy1301 At least ya,didn't get henry Wilson!

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Costa del Longford
I couldn't find my swim suit and had to listen to @RTEgaa as David Clifford turned in another master class

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Great news for Longford! @IDAIRELAND has secured a site for a new Advanced Factory in town. Follows 150 new jobs at Technimark & growth plans at Avery Dennison & Abbott. Credit to @LongfordCoCo & @LongfordLeo Michael Nevin for their tireless work.
#Longford #Jobs #IDA #Midlands

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Honoured to have been appointed as the @fiannafailparty Seanad spokesperson on Housing by, An Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD.
Housing is the defining challenge of our times & pleased to be able to bring a provincial dimension to the sector.
#Housing #FiannaFáil #Seanad

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Delighted to meet chair of Longford IFA @IFAmedia, John Sheridan, and Hugh Farrell from Ballyconnell, the new general secretary of the ICSA @ICSAIreland. His father was a native of Glanmore in North Longford. 2/2

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Longford Ploughing C'ships 2025
Well down chair Longford Ploughing Barry White & co who have pulled out all stops for annual c'ships & field day in Balkymahon. Hat tip Delaney family who kindly offered up their lands to host event 1/2

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

@LDGaelicStats Well deserved

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Ballymahon St Patrick's Weekend Parade
Great afternoon Ballymahon for parade. Full marks Cllr Pat O Toole & organising committee on another quality community event. Delighted see tireless volunteerism of local man, John Ryan, recognised. He was a very deserving grand marshal. 3/3

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Longford town's St Patrick's weekend
Well done on what looks set to be a very successful Patrick's weekend celebration. The parade took centrestage and there was no more deserving grand marshal than Lalin Swaris, who was accompanied by his grand-daughter, Shauna. 1/3

[Joe Flaherty @joefla]

Ballinamuck St Patrick's weekend parade
Top evening for another real community parade. Alas neither myself or Senator Padraig Brady got the dress code note it seems! Full marks to Cllrs Turlough Pot McGovern & David Cassidy, who were hugely entertaining MCs for the event. 2/3