The Prodigal Social Democrats Son is Welcomed Home

Eoin Hayes has his suspension from the Social Democrats lifted.

Let us rejoice—or perhaps raise a sceptical eyebrow—to the miraculous resurrection of Eoin Hayes, the Prodigal TD of Dublin Bay South. Like the biblical wastrel who squandered his inheritance on wine, women, and general fecklessness, Hayes blew his political capital on Palantir stock and a cavalier disregard for truth. But where the original Prodigal Son returned to his father’s house in rags, begging for scraps, Hayes has been welcomed back into the SocDems’ good graces with a six-figure share sale in his pocket and a carefully calculated donation to cleanse his sins. The fatted calf, in this case, is the party’s credibility—slow-roasted over the spit of political expediency.

Eight months ago, the Social Democrats suspended Hayes for the twin sins of (a) owning shares in Palantir, James Bond-like bad guys, and (b) lying about it with the finesse of a small child caught with jam smeared all over his face.

But lo and behold! The suspension is over, a mea culpa has been issued, and Hayes …