SMOKES & DAGGERS

Inside the corridors of the Mayo Convention Centre in Castlebar

MICHAEL NOONAN said yesterday that Ireland could be back to full employment in three years and his party appears to be doing its best to get us there sooner, judging by the number of security men it hired for the ard fheis. There was a park and ride for registration, an ID check at the entrance, another to get a wrist band. And spot checks inside the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre. MR Noonan was in top form, despite his recent eye operation. He flew in from Brussels late on Friday and on his way from Dublin noticed that there weren’t any signposts for Castlebar but lots for Westport. In fact, any traveller from Dublin will notice that there are no sign posts for Castlebar until you hit the turnoff for Ballina. NOONAN remarked: ‘I don’t know who’s running the country but Michael Ring appears to be putting up the road signs.’ AS THE press corps strolled round downtown Castlebar, we came across a plaque marking the birth of one Charles J Haughey there on September 16, 1926. His father was a soldier based in the town and CJ was delivered by the local midwife – Enda Kenny’s aunt. ON THE road down there was a less than welcoming greeting in Longford, from the local Fianna Fail TD, Robert Troy. The poster, pictured left, read: ‘Welcome to Co. Longford, forgotten by Government, no IDA visits 2011-2015.’ But what does he mean, forgotten by Government? Sure, doesn’t the Taoiseach’s car pass through at least twice a week? HEADLINES told us yesterday that Enda Kenny intended to target Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin in his election campaign. But it looks like Micheál’s own party is doing a fine job of it for him. The brudder, Noel Ahern, at last weeks’s Fianna Fáil Ard Comhairle, called on Mr Martin to expel the Dáil Three – Niall Collins, Robert Troy and Billy Kelleher – for voting for Clare Daly’s private member’s abortion bill.