OK, so it looks like an apt-get update does update the kernel and mess with this. My custom kernel above is 3.18.7. I did a new compile and it’s now 3.18.9.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l96mgbsc2r8b7wf/custom_kernel_1.20150619-1.tar.gz?dl=0
I did notice something interesting though. Before I tried my new kernel, I noticed that the “auto-fire” issue appears to have disappeared from the vanilla kernel. So there might only be the issue with directional pad left. Which may not get fixed because of non-compliance. I’ll have to try to see if one of the patches can be removed.
Anyway, the above should be the latest and work for you.