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Shane Coleman: Michael McDowell may have a second coming, but he is not the messiah

The former attorney general and tánaiste has become a major thorn in the side of government, but let’s not kid ourselves that he is the saviour of Irish politics

Michael McDowell during the General Election count in 2007 at the RDS. Picture: RollingNews

Next month will mark the 17th anniversary of Michael McDowell’s resignation from frontline politics after losing his seat in the 2007 general election. His typically dramatic declaration at the RDS count centre that his “period in public life as a public representative is over” was part Richard Nixon – “You don’t have Nixon to kick around anymore” – and part Dick Tuck: “The people have spoken, the bastards”.

Given the colourful nature of McDowell’s political ...