Eagle-eye Ring leaves SF hanging on tricolour

Michael O’Farrell

But thanks to the observations of eagle-eyed Mayo deputy Michael Ring on his way into work, gleeful deputies couldn’t let the opportunity slip to string up all five of the beleaguered party’s deputies.

Chirping up at yesterday morning’s Order of Business, Mr Ring wondered what had happened to the tricolour atop Dáil Eireann.

“When I walk in here every morning when the House is sitting, I look up to see the tricolour flying over Leinster House. As I was coming in this morning, however, I noticed that the flag was missing. Does the Tánaiste know anything about it? Does Deputy Ó Caoláin know anything about it?” he enquired innocently.

The response of the house was to string this one along for all it was worth. “Good man, Michael,” came the inevitable bellow, this time provided by the former general manager of Tuam’s livestock mart, Paul Connaughton.

Ceann Comhairle, Rory O’Hanlon stepped in assuring Mr Ring there had been a difficulty with the rope which was “being attended to as a matter of urgency.”

“I take it that there will not be any hangings,” said Mr Ring without missing a beat. Poor old Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin must have known that whatever was coming next was going to be aimed straight at the centre of his republican heart. Pat Rabbitte hit home first. “Does Deputy Ring have any evidence of Deputy Ó Caoláin’s involvement?” he asked.

Even the Tánaiste couldn’t resist. “Perhaps Deputy Ó Caoláin or Deputy Ó Snodaigh had the rope,” she suggested.

Conor Lenihan could not contain himself. “It might be found with Deputy Ó Snodaigh’s posters,” he squawked, delighted with his frayed humour.

Poor Sinn Féin. It just wouldn’t be the same without them.