Lenihan ‘upbeat’ despite diagnosis

SOCIAL Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin has said her colleague Brian Lenihan remains upbeat despite his cancer diagnosis, but she was scathing of the TV coverage of his illness.

She said she has spoken with Finance Minister Lenihan since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this month and he is in good spirits.

“I had a long chat with Brian and of course we are all shocked at the news but he is very upbeat and willing to take on the challenge of his treatment,” she said.