Former minister Brendan Howlin is widely expected to become the new Labour leader today, after it became clear that his contender, Alan Kelly, failed to find support among the remaining six Labour TDs for his own nomination.
Mr. Kelly appears to have become somewhat of a toxic asset within Labour, a fact made clear by his shunning by party peers. His hubris, diva-like attitude, and unhealthy attachment to Irish Water may have all been factors leading to his demise.