Chronicle of a conspiracy foretold but the mysteries of Bertiegate remain

SOFT furnishings from Brown Thomas; €2,116, a swanky new conservatory: €12,000; a sympathy surge after a sad-eyed statement when you’re sliding in the polls: Priceless.

It was a confident, almost cocky, Bertie Ahern that emerged blinking into the car park of Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to declare he had finally explained his way out of the payments crisis.

The Taoiseach has often been accused of speaking in riddles over this affair, but it was clear he was also touched byprophesies.