Conor Flaherty

Conor Flaherty is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who was played by actor Seán Gleeson from 22nd September 1997 to 22nd February 1999. The character first appeared in a special week of episodes set in Ireland, the first broadcast in 1997.

Conor Flaherty
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Seán Gleeson
Duration	1997–1999
First appearance	Episode 1507 22 September 1997 (1997-09-22)
Last appearance	Episode 1741 22 February 1999 (1999-02-22)
Classification	Former; regular
In-universe information Occupation Car mechanic Family Beale Father Sean Flaherty Mother Maggie Flaherty Brothers Eamonn Flaherty John Flaherty Tommy Flaherty Wife Geraldine Flaherty (divorced) Daughters Mary Flaherty Grandfathers Albert Beale Grandmothers Lou Beale Uncles Pete Beale Aunts Pauline Fowler Nephews Eamonn Flaherty Jr. Declan Flaherty Carl Flaherty Nieces Colette Flaherty Kylie Flaherty First cousins David Wicks Simon Wicks (step) Ian Beale Mark Fowler Michelle Fowler Martin Fowler

Storylines

Flaherty first appeared in 1997 when Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) tracked down his mother Maggie Flaherty (Olivia Shanley), who was her long-lost sister. Conor also had a daughter, Mary Flaherty (Melanie Clark Pullen), the three of them moving to Walford with Pauline. Flaherty soon started working as a mechanic for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and as a loan shark 'heavy' for Annie Palmer (Nadia Sawalha). Eventually, he falls for Ruth (Caroline Paterson), his cousin's wife, Mark Fowler (Todd Carty). After a brief affair, Ruth is impregnated by Flaherty, leading to Fowler beating up Flaherty. Flaherty and his daughter would both move to Scotland after this, leaving the show.

Casting

Colm O Maonlai had auditioned for the part of Conor Flaherty but lost out to Gleeson and was later cast as Tom Banks.^[1]

Reception

Merle Brown from the Scottish newspaper The Daily Record commented that Conor and Mary were "two of the most irritating characters" in the soap, and she was not happy that they were moving to Scotland.^[2]

References

1. Kelly, John (2 June 2002). "Fireman Tom is really hot stuff". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
2. Brown, Merle (20 February 1999). "Soap watch". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 12 November 2012.