Public protest: Former taoiseach leaves politics with criticism ringing in his ears

IT was his last full day in the Dáil, but former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern left with criticism ringing in his ears.

Conducting an impromptu interview with an RTÉ reporter outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday, Mr Ahern was reminiscing on his time in politics when confronted by a protester.

“Have you no shame coming out here on the streets when people like ourselves are getting cuts in our wages and (extra) taxes and all that? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Shame on you,” declared Joan Collins, a Dublin city councillor and member of the People before Profit Alliance.