Bunker does silly things to the brain

THE affray at the bay began with a Merc, a smirk and a jerk of the hand – all three of which belonged to the extended Lenihan clan.

Mary O’Rourke had appeared jittery as she gave TV3 an interview outside the Hodson Bay Fianna Fáil conference hotel as farmers massed and jeered in the background.

In a moment of supreme misjudgement, the formidable matron of Middle Ireland turned and waved at the demonstrators – just as her nephew Brian Lenihan’s lavish Mercedes cruised through with him sporting his customary lop-sided smile from within. The combination of gestures co-ordinated perfectly with the first break through the barrier as farm rage lunged forward to storm the hotel.