Is Fianna Fáil planning for the future in east Mayo by taking GAA route?

So it appears another former Mayo GAA star is dipping his proverbial toe in politics.

Keith Higgins, one of the county's greatest ever footballers and hurlers, is supporting Ballyhaunis businessman Stephen in his bid to win a Fianna Fáil seat in the Claremorris Municipal District in next year's local elections.

The indications are that Higgins will have a central role in Nolan's campaign and, from Nolan's point of view, it is quite a coup.

But the bigger question is this: If Keith Higgins is now involved in Fianna Fáil, is it only a matter of time before he gets a tap on the shoulder asking him to put his name forward for a general election?

After all, Fianna Fáil will be in a very challenging position to find a candidate to run alongside Minister of State Dara Calleary in the 2025 general election in the event of Castlebar-based Senator Lisa Chambers being elected to the European Parliament in next June's elections.

After the success of John O'Mahony and Alan Dillon for Fine Gael in recent times and Sean Flanagan before that, why couldn't Keith Higgins do the same for Fianna Fáil?

If he is interested, of course.

DUBLIN RIOTS FALLOUT

The fallout from the Dublin riots is being used by Sinn Féin to try and cull senior political heads.

The party predictably set its sights on bringing down Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

But it was little more than an opportunistic ploy as part of Sinn Féin sustained tactics to unhinge and unnerve the government at every opportunity.

Even if such a move was successful, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is not going to be forced into an early election because that's exactly what Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty want them to do.

This observer can't say he disagrees with Deputy Doherty's call for the resignation of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

But not because of the Dublin riots and the fact his force struggled to deal with the situation - but because rank and file members had passed a vote of no-confidence in him.

However, the best suggestion of all in respect of the riots has come from Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, who said those found guilty of being involved in the riots and looting should have their social welfare payments stopped.

That would certain soften their cough.

Why should the State continue to make payments to people intent on its destruction.

It does not make sense.

While the scenes in Dublin City on November 23 were shameful and embarrassing, the knee-jerk reaction to it from a political perspective has been over the top.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has accused Sinn Féin of 'exploiting' the issues that arose from the riots.

He stated: "I've observed Sinn Féin now for the last four to five years. It is, without question, a party that seeks to exploit every issue that arises as opposed to coming forward with constructive ideas as to how to resolve them."

The public, too, is beginning to see the party more and more like that. Which is a pity because they have a lot of talented people within the ranks.

If the opinion polls are correct, they don't need to be going for the jugular in such full-blooded fashion.

It makes them look too hungry for power and a group capable of jumping in with both feet, so to speak, when calmer minds are always better dealing with crisis situations in government.

Of course, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party are devastated by what happened on the streets of the capital, but it's not the right call to rub their faces in it.

Sinn Féin is far better at taking the government to task over housing and health - so its TDs should really stick to what they are good at.

HIGGINS FOR ELECTION?

So it appears another former Mayo GAA star is dipping his proverbial toe in politics.

Keith Higgins, one of the county's greatest ever footballers and hurlers, is supporting Ballyhaunis businessman Stephen in his bid to win a Fianna Fáil seat in the Claremorris Municipal District in next year's local elections.

The indications are that Higgins will have a central role in Nolan's campaign and, from Nolan's point of view, it is quite a coup.

But the bigger question is this: If Keith Higgins is now involved in Fianna Fáil, is it only a matter of time before he gets a tap on the shoulder asking him to put his name forward for a general election.

After all, Fianna Fáil will be in a very challenging position to find a candidate to run alongside Minister of State Dara Calleary in the 2025 general election in the event of Castlebar-based Senator Lisa Chambers being elected to the European Parliament in next June's elections.

After the success of John O'Mahony and Alan Dillon for Fine Gael in recent times and Sean Flanagan before that, why couldn't Keith Higgins do the same for Fianna Fáil?

If he is interested, of course.