Heffernan was heavily involved with Labour Youth during his time in university, serving on the organisation's internal disciplinary committee.

Before becoming a full-time politician in around 2009, Heffernan taught in a number of schools, including St Anne's in Whitechapel, London.

[3] He lost the parliamentary Labour Party whip in December 2012 after voting against the government on the Social Welfare Bill.

[5] In February 2015, he claimed he was forming a new political party in order to oppose Sinn Féin.

[7] Between 31 July 31 and 2 August 2016, Heffernan was allegedly arrested 3 times for offences including spitting at Gardaí, and drunken behaviour while attending Indiependence Music & Arts Festival in Mitchelstown, County Cork.