The Irish patriot who expected Santa to visit him every day of the year

CHARLIE HAUGHEY was living proof that Santa came more than once in a year.

Any year, but especially when he was Taoiseach.

So the current incumbent, Bertie Ahern, regrets signing blank cheques for him. He’s not the only one regretting it. I get the feeling he said it only because it was expected of him it in the wake of Moriarty’s view of his relaxed attitude to signing off on behalf of his then leader.