Enda Kenny was appealing to the diaspora to vote for not what was best for them, but best for Ireland

Irony was in short supply on Enda Kenny’s tour of north England this week, which was interrupted by the savage murder of MP Jo Cox, writes Michael Clifford

The Taoiseach went across the water to appeal to displaced Gaels to do their duty by the old country.

Mr Kenny was trying desperately to bring some influence to bear on the Brexit vote. He wants those who were born on this island, or who claim Irish lineage, to plump for the UK to remain in the EU. This, he believes, would be in Ireland’s best interests. He’s probably correct on that score, but still, it took some neck to ask Irish immigrants to give up their oul’ vote for the green, green grass of home.