Age, action as pensioners prepare for battle

It was the biggest flare-up Croke Park has seen since Brian Cody and Anthony Cunningham got frisky on the touchline at the climax of this year’s drawn All-Ireland hurling final.

Máire Hastings, a 72-year-old from Dún Laoghaire in Dublin, took to her feet, surveyed the three politicians sat before her, and fired.

“We are talking today about dignity for older people,” she said. “It only comes with respect, and respect must come from the top. I would suggest there is precious little respect.”