Taking on Charlie Haughey was courageous, and he later remarked that it cost him in his business as well as damaging longstanding friendshipsPaul Mackay played a central role in the general election of 1987 which saw the PDs make a dramatic breakthrough, winning 14 seats. Photograph: Cyril ByrnePaul Mackay made an important contribution to Irish politics through his involvement in the establishment of the Progressive Democrats .
Paul Mackay was born in Dublin in 1941 and brought up in Clontarf. He attended Belgrove junior boys school before going on to Terenure College as a boarder. He worked in the family-run tyre remoulding business and studied accountancy at night. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1965. In 1971 he took up a private practice specialising in corporate recovery.
A dispute followed and Haughey’s supporters moved to expel him from the organisation. Demonstrating the streak of toughness that characterised his approach to politics, he obtained a court injunction preventing his dismissal without cause or due notice. It was only a stay of execution before he was formally dismissed in May 1983.
When Mackay travelled to Limerick to meet potential supporters, O’Malley’s wife Pat insisted on a private chat. “Do you know this man at all? Do you know what type of man he is; how difficult he is?” she asked. “If you get involved with this man it is going to be a rough, rough ride. It’s like becoming involved with Jesus Christ. Once you declare yourself for him you have to forget everything else and be with him. He is difficult.