The iron rule that may yet cost FF

THE Fianna Fáil mutiny was as scary as being confronted in a dark alley by a flock of slaughtered sheep.

We should be used to Fianna Fáil rebellions by now. A couple of backbenchers huff and puff about their terrible plight. Bertie Ahern feels the gentle breeze from the hot air as it travels downwind. And then — in the nicest possible way — he blows the house down.

The latest drive by backbenchers to hold the party leadership to account finished within two nanoseconds of it breaking in the papers.