SMOKES & DAGGERS

A mischievous mix of (mostly) news

LEO VARADKAR had a bad week. Whatever about whacking hospital consultants over holidays, picking on nurses isn’t a vote-winning strategy. But then an Irish Times Christmas questionaire from back in 2007, which circulated during the week following his comments, he complained about having to work in A&E in Blanchardstown for two Christmas days in a row (‘Beaumont doesn’t bring back good memories’). He also said his least-favourite Christmas movie was A Christmas Carol. ‘Tiny Tim should get a job,’ he joked. We think.

HEALTH Minister Simon Harris posted an image of a evening class for men, which he joked that his beloved wanted him to sign up for. Among the topics to be covered: ‘Toilet rolls – do they grow on the holders?; Differences between laundry basket & floor; Loss of Virility (losing the remote to your significant other); Empty Milk cartons – do they belong in the fridge or the bin? Living with adults, basic diffences between your mother and your partner.’

AFTER his recent difficult encounter with democracy, Michael D must have been consoled by Fianna Fáil senator Terry Leyden’s tribute. Terry said he was grateful of having the ‘benefit of him lecturing me for two years in the 1970s. He was so inspirational that I got into the Dáil four years before him.’

HEADLINE of the week goes to the AP’s report on the US mid-term elections: ‘Deceased Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof [pictured] wins state assembly race, weeks after he was found dead at his Love Ranch brothel by porn actor Ron Jeremy.’