Not a Cheshire Cat in sight as Fine Gael backs a loser in Cox

The Taoiseach was barely able to disguise his displeasure as Gay Mitchell’s name was read out as the party’s nominee for the presidency.

Mr Kenny wanted Pat Cox, he could have lived with Mairead McGuinness, but he was certainly not glad it was to be Gay.

Mr Kenny looked pensive at the beginning of a joint press conference with the freshly elected nominee and uncharacteristically snapped when asked why he seemed so disappointed at the result, saying: “Am I supposed to be going around grinning like a Cheshire Cat at everything?”