SMOKES & DAGGERS

A mischievous mix of political asides with JOHN DRENNAN

CHARLIE HAUGHEY is not the archetypal blueshirt hero. But Fine Gael sources tell us Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is excited by his similarity to Haughey in one regard. When re-elected as Taoiseach, Leo will be the first holder of that office since Charlie to regain the top job after losing it. Only two others have done so, John A Costello and Eamon De Valera.

SPEAKING of John A Costello, quite the flap is developing in the posh arena of Deansgrange cemetery in Dublin where the council are planning to put a bicycle lane through the ranks of dead patriots. Amongst those interred there are Costello, members of the Lemass family and tenor Count John McCormack. Independent councillor Mick Fleming told Smokes: ‘The community are up in arms. We are in favour of cycling but not in graveyards. A bit of respect is needed. The cemetery will be open 24 hours a day if this is passed.’

SPEAKING of graveyards, Dublin Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin was overheard telling some enchanted visitors ‘we don’t need to go to funerals, unlike country TDs’. A strange boast.

A PROSAIC query on the cost of Garda drivers for ministers, and the number of officers involved elicited a perfect closed loop answer. Justice Minister Helen McEntee dutifully told Peadar Tóibín it was an issue for the Garda Commissioner. Furthermore she had been informed that: ‘An Garda Síochána does not comment on matters relating to the allocation of resources within key protection positions, or costs associated with these matters.’ Allow us to translate: ‘It’s a secret. But even if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t tell you.’

DONIE CASSIDY’S election as vice president of FF has stirred angst in the party’s upper echelons, him being a member of the original country and western wing of the party, and a Golfgate veteran. Some note his newfound strut across the Leinster House plinth but wiser heads caution: ‘People should keep their hair on: Donie certainly is.’