SMOKES & DAGGERS

A mischievous mix of political asides with JOHN DRENNAN

■ SINN FÉIN is believed to be less than impressed by the advertising company that placed a billboard ad, pictured, featuring Pearse Doherty, Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill beside a huge railway bridge ad for ‘Killers’. You know what they say about real estate: location, location, location.

■ COULD Fianna Fáil be on the comeback trail? If Micheál Martin felt a chill down his spine this week, it might have been because Beverley Cooper Flynn paid the Dáil a flying visit. We also hear that a younger Flynn scion recently interned with Timmy Dooley. ‘Micheál will be delighted to see all the old talent coming back and learning on the job,’ one source remarked.

■ IN A post-Covid world, politicians can raise funds again, and Leo Varadkar is to hold a discreet fundraiser shortly. ‘It’s being held at some big old castle. It’s €250 a head but that’s modest by Sinn Féin standards,’ said a source. Party members might get in for a bargain €150, we’re told.

■ DURING the Health Committee grilling of Robert Watt, Bernard Durkan, pictured, appeared on screen via Zoom. Unfortunately, while Mr Durkan made his usual vigorous contribution, he forgot to switch off his mute button. ‘The only more beautiful thing than a mute swan is a muted Durkan,’ one observer said.

■ FIANNA FÁIL’S Jackie Cahill has his finger on the pulse. He asked Green minister Catherine Martin if golf clubs could get funding to replace diesel buggies with electric ones. Because there will always be golfers, even after a climate disaster.

■ SMOKES would have paid good money to hear the chats between Leo Varadkar and Joe McHugh during the Tánaiste’s trip to Donegal, after the party’s only hope of winning a seat there announced he was quitting politics. ‘Long silences are expected,’ a source said.