Dermot Fahey

Infobox soap character
name = Dermot Fahey
series =Fair City
colour=#99CCCC;
first =1996
parents = Mary Fahey (mother)
children = Benjamin Fahey (adoptive son)
siblings = Ken Fahey (brother)
spouse = Jo Fahey
nieces/nephews = Owen Fahey (nephew)
Lucy Burke (niece)
occupation =
residence =
portrayer = Seamus Power

Dermot Fahey is a fictional character in the RTÉ soap opera "Fair City", portrayed by Seamus Power.He is the husband of Jo. He is a politician and represents the constituency of Carrigstown.

Fictional character biography

Dermot spent a few years trying to have a relationship with Jo, but their conflicting professions always got in their way. In 2004, they finally got married. Prior to this, Jo revealed to Dermot that there was a possibility that she could have Huntington's disease. Jo's sister Eleanor slowly deteriorated and died from the disease, but Jo herself was fine and Dermot vowed to support her. However, the couple found themselves unable to conceive children.

In 2006, Dermot decided to contest a seat for his political party in government. He discovered that his competitor Seamus Mannion was being supported by property developer Seamus McAleer. Mannion was forced to stand down, but he later discovered that Benjamin had been illegally abdopted by Dermot and Jo. He used this information to blackmail Dermot into standing down. In 2006, Dermot found himself being interviewed by Barry O'Hanlon when the Carrigstown rapist was on the loose. He was horrified to learn that Jo had been intimidated by a homeless man, but it turned out that the man wasn't the rapist.

Benjamin

In 2005, Deirdre Burke arrived in Carrigstown and informed Dermot that she was looking for a father to look after her unborn child. Deirdre and Jo became friends. It was revealed that Dr. Brendan Daly was the father and he gave Deirdre money to leave the country to prevent his wife Heather finding out about his one-night stand. When Deirdre gave birth and left Jo minding the baby, it soon became apparent that she had left the country. The couple found a note explaining that Deirdre had put Dermot's name on the child's birth cert and wanted the couple to raise Benjamin as their own. Jo convinced Dermot to keep the baby, but the couple were horrified when Deirdre returned for Christmas. Fortunately, Deirdre assured them that she was happy with the arrangement.On 25 December 2005, Brendan found himself confronting Benjamin when Dermot and Jo invited him and Heather to Christmas dinner. Brendan got through the day and Deirdre left the country once again shortly afterwards.

Deirdres Return

In 2007, Deirdre returned to Ireland again and began a relationship with Dermot's brother Ken, much to the shock of Dermot and Jo. Although Dermot believed that the relationship would end after a while (Deirdre is only in Ireland on a temporary basis due to her business), Jo ignored him and demanded that the couple split up. Ken, however, revealed that he had bought a house for Deirdre, Eoin and himself. Deirdre's friend Orla Kirwan spilled the beans about her supposed child in Australia. Ken was shocked by this. Although Deirdre has been lying to Orla about having a child and a boyfriend in Australia as a means of keeping Orla offtrack, her plan has backfired on her, resulting in Ken committing himself to her. Ken has sworn to stand by Deirdre, but whether he learns the truth remains to be seen. When Geraldine announced her engagement to Mike, Ken wished her happiness. Deirdre became pregnant with Ken's child.

Revalation

In 2008, Deirdre gave borth to a still born girl. While Jo was comforting her, her maternal instincts towards Benjamin kicked in. She took Ben from Dermot and Jo, not even allowing them to see him. However she had no experience in raising a toddler and Ben kept crying out for Jo at night. She eventually realised that Ben sees Dermot and Jo as parents and she brought him back. However in the contreversy, Dermot and Jo found out that Brendan was the father. Dermot and Jo then decided to get the adoption legalised so he couldn't be taken again but they would need a signature from the biological father, Brendan.In March 2008, Brendan and Heather Daly returned home from Brendans work trip. Jo told him that they were aware of his fatherhood to Ben. Brendan agreed to sign the adoption papers in return of a vow of silence that they don't tell Heather the truth.

Media Interest

By April, Heather found out about Brendans lies and subsequently broke up with him. Now that a handful of people knew the truth about Ben, it wasn't long until Barry O'Hanlon who works for the local paper found out. He was interested in writing a story about it. Dermot pleaded with him to stop because it could destroy his career but Barry relented and said it was in the public demain and if he didn't publish it, someone else would. He eventually did publish an article including an interview from Heather. The main Irish media was quick to notice it and journalists called to the house. This caused Deirdre and Ken to leave Carrigstown. Dermot was told that an interview would be ideal and good for his party. Jo and Dermot finally agreed to an interview which was watched by everyone in McCoys. Jo lashed out at the interviewer and stormed off. The next day, (at Eunice Phelan's memorial service) an old age pensioner verbally lashed out at Dermot.

References

* [http://www.rte.ie/tv/faircity/dermot.html Profile of Dermot Fahey at www.rte.ie]