Celia no-show prompts speculation

SPECULATION about the relationship of the Taoiseach and his partner Celia Larkin intensified yesterday after Ms Larkin was absent from a lunch for the visiting German president.

The Taoiseach and Ms Larkin were officially listed as the hosts for the lunch at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters, but Ms Larkin was not in attendance and her name was not included on the guest list.

Recently, Ms Larkin’s absence from Mr Ahern’s side at official and social functions has led to rumours the couple had split. Rumours this time last year were scotched when she went to the Galway Races festival with him.