Dr Mossajee Bhamjee became the first Muslim TD in the Dáil when he was elected as a Labour deputy for Clare in 1992.

Bhamjee was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1947. Moosajee travelled to Dublin in 1965 where he studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons. After he received his degree, Bhamjee returned to South Africa where he began working as a general practitioner. He returned to Ireland in 1975 and married Claire who he first met when studying in Dublin. They moved to Galway and later to Cork where he trained as a psychiatrist. In 1984 Bhamjee secured a permanent post at Our Lady's Hospital in Ennis. 

Bhamjee became interested in local politics. He joined the Labour Party in 1991 and was the party's candidate at the 1992 general election. Bhamjee became a TD for Clare, traditionally a Fianna Fáil stronghold. 

Dr Bhamjee and his wife Claire talk about the difficulties encountered in a marriage between a Muslim and a Catholic. Their children were free to make up their own minds about religion; two became Catholics. Claire also talks about her experience of Apartheid in South Africa where Dr Bhamjee's family live.

Cliona O’Flynn looks back on the election of the popular psychiatrist and the impact the election had on his family. Did his view of local life change when he entered the world of Irish politics? 

Produced by Cliona O'Flynn ( First broadcast in 1993)