Conduct Unbecoming: A Memoir

by Desmond O'Malley

Candid, combative, and entertaining, Conduct Unbecoming is a compelling account of an extraordinary career. Desmond O'Malley leapt to prominence in 1970 as Jack Lynch's young and fiercely principled Minister for Justice. His role in the Arms Crisis earned him the enmity of Charles Haughey, O'Malley was finally ejected from Fianna F il in 1985. He would found the Progressive Democrats several months later. Conduct Unbecoming is a landmark political memoir from one of Ireland's most outspoken and respected public figures.

244 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2014

Reviews

[James Gaffney]

Cracking read. A political memoir with fascinating insights into the events that grace our screens each August on 'Reeling in the Years', such as the Arms Crisis, the security situation in the North, the phone-tapping scandal and wider issues of corruption that plagued public life in the 1980's. He also has some interesting views on the lack of meaningful local government, informed by his time on Limerick Corporation, as well some thoughts on the challenges faced by small parties. Well worth a read.

[Bill Sheridan]

This autobiography by this major Irish political figure is both engrossing and revealing in it's insights into the frequently Machiavellian Irish political scene from the late 1960s onwards. It confirms my impression that Ireland (and the Fianna Fáil party) lost the opportunity to have a man of integrity and decency lead the country through the latter part of the 20th century following the resignation of one of the few Fianna Fáil leaders who showed similar integrity - O'Malley's 'mentor' and clear role model the former Taoiseach Jack Lynch. Instead for most of the subsequent period, Ireland elected a succession of Fianna Fáil leaders of very dubious integrity (I am being exceptionally kind in my use of words here!) through the period of the Celtic Tiger. This economic 'boom' benefitted few other than a minority who became obscenely rich, aided by politicians who manipulated the legislature to facilitate this, often for massive financial gain themselves. This book provides an insight from within this establishment from a man who worked tirelessly from within and without the system to oppose the corrupt practices which he encountered. An intriguing read for anyone interested in modern Irish politics and indeed for anyone interested in politics in general.