NAAS, 8 December 2001: by Trish Whelan. More than 450 guests turned up to the launch by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy of three new books by local author and politician Timmy Conway (PDs).

The launch featured numerous readings from the books and a humourous speech by the Minister who took a break from the National Estimates to enjoy the read.

Timmy's latest books entitled ‘Comrade Tom’, ‘Timmy’s Childhood’, ‘Canal Woods’ were introduced with a CD featuring family and friends, recalling events when the family lived at their shop at 5 North Main Street.

‘Comrade Tom’ is the story of an idealistic young trainee accountant from Naas who takes his first faltering steps in the world of politics by joining the Labour Party in the late 1960s.

Former Tanaiste and Labour Party leader Dick Spring said he laughed so much at the memory of his father in the book, that he put his back out.

It tells how after joining up, the young ‘Tom’ experienced a baptism of fire when in 1970, still wet behind the ears, he volunteered to a request from Head Office to stand in for none other than party leader Brendan Corish to address an after-Mass public meeting in Ballymore Eustace.

But nobody had told the local party faithful about the change and there was ‘holy war’ when he turned up instead. A special meeting of the branch took place on the pavement before he was allowed up on the back of the lorry.

Worse followed. Tom got his notes all mixed up but got away with it by quoting liberally from the speeches of President John F Kennedy which he had learned off by heart, Timmy explains.

And he should know as the book is all about his own experiences in politics, both locally and nationally.

Another experience was addressing the local branch in Athgarvan on the ‘Bourgeoisie’ which he says was ‘a complete disaster’.

Many local names appear in his books including the late PP Fr PJ Doyle in a poem ‘Little Christmas’ about the Christmas dues, and who had paid what.

All three books and the CD are available in local bookshops and will make welcome presents for Christmas.