Neighbour asks Noonan to ’lighten the heavy stuff with a few quick one liners’

Michael Noonan’s closest neighbour on the Limerick housing estate where the minister has lived for more than 40 years personally made one special Budget Day request to the man next door.

Paul McMahon, a retired AIB employee said: “I met Michael when we were getting the Sunday papers at the local shop and told him I hoped he’d lighten up all the heavy stuff with a few quick one-liners. As well as being a brilliant politician, he is also a very witty man.”

Mr McMahon lives at 21 Gouldavoher, yards from Mr Noonan’s semi at No 19. Mr McMahon, 73 said: “My wife Helen and I brought up our children alongside Michael and Florrie’s children. We went to all their children’s weddings and they came to our family weddings.