Outgoing TD Paul Kehoe says social media abuse played a part in his retirement decision

The former defence minister announced last week he will not run in the next general election after 22 years as a TD for Wexford.

While he primarily wants to spend more time with his family, he said social media abuse had affected him, noting that even his announcement had drawn negativity.

“My niece texted me and said don’t look at social media but when somebody tells you not to look at something, you’re curious. I just saw the vile and poisonous comments from faceless people,” he said.

“I do believe that social media companies are trying to undermine our democracy,”

Mr Kehoe said he encountered people who are ideal election candidates who don’t want to get involved because of social media abuse.

“I’m 51 and it does take an effect on you,” he said, acknowledging that it did play a role in his decision.

“Of course, all of that plays a part in it. But at the same time, if I was 15 years in politics, it wouldn’t be one of the things that would make me leave politics.”

The former defence minister said the Government “hasn’t taken on the social media platforms” and said companies should be required to verify the identities of users.

“The nettle is going to have to be grasped on it, we’re going to have to make very tough decisions and I think we shouldn’t be afraid,” he said.

Mr Kehoe paid tribute to broadcaster and former minister Ivan Yates, whose Dáil seat he took in 2002 at the age of 29.

“Ivan Yates said ‘you always support the leader’, I took that from him and did always support the leader,” he said.

To that end he was centrally involved in efforts to save Enda Kenny from a heave in Fine Gael in 2010, working closely with Phil Hogan and senator Paddy Burke.

“I was always known as ‘Young Phil’ and ‘Phil’s enforcer’,” he recalls, adding he was “very, very saddened” to see him ousted as EU commissioner in 2020 in the fallout from the Golfgate affair.

“I think there were a lot of people who might have done things differently than they did,” he says of the Hogan furore. “I still regret to this day what happened to him and the treatment that he got.”

He refuses to criticise Leo Varadkar, remaining steadfastly loyal to the Taoiseach whom he was also involved in installing as leader in 2017.

Mr Kehoe also defended his long tenure as junior defence minister, arguing: “Our Defence Forces are paid more than a lot of other countries and have many more opportunities than other countries.”

He added that he is giving a run for Europe in Ireland South “some consideration” but otherwise has no plans.

“I haven’t put much thought into what’s next for Paul Kehoe and I don’t fear for the future of Paul Kehoe, because I feel that something will always turn up,” he said.