Batt shaken as former Cork comrades rebel

WAR-weary from an attack by rebel forces on home ground, Batt O’Keeffe emerged visibly shaken from the melee of a mutinous teachers’ union conference in Cork yesterday.

A truly uncomfortable spectacle to witness, it was fitting that the Education Minister received the most revolutionary reception of all three teachers’ conferences from his own former union, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, and on home turf.

While the revolt first appeared muted — the minister faced 400 silent delegates, 50 of whom walked out in protest — once he reached his preaching podium, the battle cries began.