Two colours Blue in heave horse-trading

“WE’RE not rebels, we’re the establishment!” Olivia Mitchell snapped, clearly unhappy at being involved in something so low-rent- sounding as a heave.

But the Blueshirts were now desperately hunting in packs, each side eager to pick off any vulnerable waverers they could find along the way.

Throughout the day Richard and his gang would suddenly burst onto the plinth at the front of Leinster House dragging the latest captured show pony in their swirl to parade before the waiting media.