From fornication to Phonegate, TD could be reaching the end of the line

Her views on “fornication” propelled Michelle Mulherin into international headlines. Now, her international phonecalls have left the Mayo TD open to a taxpayer backlash, suggests Shaun Connolly.

The Fine Gaeler last troubled public consciousness back in April 2012 when she made this startling announcement in the Dáil: “Fornication, I would say, is probably the single most likely cause of unwanted pregnancies.”

The comments provoked global ridicule, with one US headline declaring “Irish Lawmaker Pinpoints Sex As Cause Of Babies”, but nobody is smiling over the latest controversy to engage her — Phonegate.