Former Minister of Justice Gerry Collins reveals the 'secret' to getting elected

FIANNA Fail's Gerry Collins was elected to the Dail for the first time almost 60 years ago but he can remember it like it was yesterday.

"My first election was in 1967 in a by-election and I remember I got 14,000 first preferences. Fine Gael's Willie Madden got 10,000 and Labour's Willie O'Dwyer got 2,000. For me it was quite a feeling (to be elected)," said Mr Collins, who went on to be a Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Justice twice and an MEP.

Mr Collins, who turned 86 last month, was at the count in Limerick Racecourse to support his nephew, Minister of State Niall Collins.

Interestingly, the course of history could have been very different as Mr Collins was offered the chance to run in Dublin in 1966 by Sean Lemass. 

"Sean Lemass, who was my boss, asked me if I would be interested and I said 'no'. I took the advice of my dad, who said, 'Wait until after the next election'.

"He said, 'I doubt if I'll be a candidate and you'll find you'll be a lot happier with the people of County Limerick than the Dublin people. He was dead right," smiled Mr Collins.  

The Abbeyfeale man told Limerick Live he still "loves politics".

"I do but I find it strange though, it's not the same thing that I experienced in my time where you've met the people, and you've had chats, and talked to them, and you listen to the people.

"The secret is be a good listener to the people and be available to them. And I always genuinely, genuinely felt that my obligation at all times were the people who elected me. I was answerable to them," said Mr Collins, who was warmly greeted by many across the political spectrum.