Bertie baffles Czechs with election canvassing

“JESUS — IT’S BERTIE!” The astonished cry rang out over the Charles Bridge in Prague.

Bertie Ahern didn't miss a beat and said: "Howya ladies" to the three Dublin matrons who had greeted him as if he'd just bumped into them in Drumcondra.

In canvas mode he smiled profusely as he listened to them, nodding sympathetically when one told of how her purse was stolen.

Small world and a big Europe. No better way of killing two birds with the one stone than doing a spot of local election canvassing before delivering a keynote speech to the Czech parliament on the enlargement of Europe.

Indeed, the tetchy local secret service agents appeared baffled, not to mention powerless, to stop Bertie meeting and greeting Irish passers-by.

Five minutes down the street on the way to Wenceslas Square, a man wearing a Westmeath shirt promised to meet Bertie at the match in Mullingar in two weeks' time.

But the prize for the most dedicated Bertie follower of all went to Clare woman Nuala Madden who seized her chance after Bertie launched a photo exhibition on the Czech Republic's accession to the EU.

"I never thought I'd meet him here but I'm delighted. A friend texted me to say he was here and I was keeping my eye out for him," she said.

Rushing up with her camera, Nuala and her friends Stan and Noleen Slattery got the holiday snap of a lifetime. "How are you keeping? Up the Banner," enthused the Taoiseach as he threw his arms over the two women for a smiley pose.

All in a day's work for the European President. Just as well the President of the Senate before it was even 9.45am Irish time had a pint of local beer placed before a bemused Bertie.

It's a tough job, this European presidency business.