Shane Ross: Jim O’Callaghan’s army gaffe has spared the Taoiseach from a changing of the guard

Fianna Fáil is traditionally ruthless when it comes to leadership exits. Sixty years ago, Seán Lemass was the party’s last taoiseach to exit without politic­al blood on the carpet. Since then, Jack Lynch, Charlie Haughey, Albert Reynolds, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen were all unceremoniously shafted.