Haughey’s Millions – On the Trail of Charlie’s Money

The Bestselling Exposé of the Life and Debts of an Irish Taoiseach

Untangle the financial history of Charlie Haughey, Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil, in Haughey’s Millions, the must-read, bestselling exposé of one of Ireland’s most controversial politicians

Colm Keena, acclaimed Irish Times investigative journalist, examines the extraordinary career of Charlie ‘the Boss’ Haughey, the backbench TD who became Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and left a financial legacy that lingered long after his retirement from political life.

As a politician, Haughey made a huge contribution to Irish life: he played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process and he laid the foundations for the prosperity that arrived with the Celtic Tiger. But Haughey’s Millions does not deal with Haughey’s political history; instead Keena uncovers the subject that Haughey most wanted to avoid and you’ll most want to read: the truth about his money.

From elections to tribunal appearances, Haughey dominated the Irish political landscape from the ’60s to the ’90s and always lived visibly beyond his means. From his princely accommodation in Kinsealy to his penchant for horses, Haughey’s extravagant spending made him look like a rich man on a TD’s salary.

In Haughey’s Millions, Keena traces the origins of Haughey’s lavish lifestyle back to the ’50s and to his early life as a partner in Haughey, Boland & Co. Moving chronologically forward, Keena looks at Haughey’s early involvement with Des Traynor and his developing relationships with property developers and other key entrepreneurs and business figures. Keena’s investigations take him up to the Moriarty and McCracken tribunals of the mid-’90s, set up to investigate the alleged financial corruption at the heart of Haughey’s infamous political reign.

Under the microscope of Keena’s investigations, Haughey’s financial dealings are revealed. In Haughey’s Millions, Keena gives you the whole tangled story of a politician who lived like a prince, from beginning to ignominious end.

Haughey’s Millions: Table of Contents

3. Part One: 1925–1987
5. A Descendant of Kings
6. The Tax Commissioner’s Residence
7. The Wilderness Years
8. Banking Secrets
9. Horse Dealers and Hoteliers
10. Helping Ciarán
12. Part Two: 1987–1992
14. Back in Business
15. Tralee Again
16. A New Disciple
17. Money for the Boss
18. Brian Lenihan
19. Financial Services
20. Taxing the Taoiseach
22. Part Three: 1992–
24. Bowing Out Gracefully
25. Helicopters Again
26. An Innocent Bystander
27. Disclosure
28. Endgame
29. The Case for the Defence