‘What’s Left?’ A look back at some odd bits of the week

Life’s a Breezer

NEWTOWNABBEY DUP Councillor Robert Hill’s head must be spinning after DUP chiefs said they’re looking into his admission that he drank a Bacardi Breezer during a council meeting.

‘Bacardi Bob’ says he took the rum-based ‘alco-pop’ because of the heat in the council chamber on Monday when the public gallery was packed to the gills for a vote on Dog Control Orders.

One unnamed unionist councillor told the local Newtownabbey Times that he was “appalled and outraged” by Bob’s imbibing.

The DUP drinker shot back:

“Sure there is more alcohol in a wine gum or a brandy ball!”

(A Bacardi Breezer has 6.6% alcohol – not sure about where he gets his wine gums.)

Bad Bob went on:

“It was all there was in the fridge, it was hot in the council chamber and I needed a drink. I took a sip from the bottle and didn’t finish it. I didn’t want to miss any of the debate in the chamber so I took the drink into the chamber with me.”

Bob reckons it’s all a rum do stirred up by his opponents.

“This is just vindictiveness on the part of the Alliance Party and its supporters because I have a free mind and will not be manipulated into voting whatever way they want me to. Really this is just childish and an attempt to undermine me.”

A DUP spokesman later added soberly:

“We would not condone such behaviour. We expect the highest standards from our elected representatives at all times.”

Bob will drink to that.

 ✯✯✯

No welcome sign for the DUP

HARSH WORDS from West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan for an Irish-language sign reading Fáilte at the entrance to Beragh GAA Club.

The “Welcome” sign is very unwelcome to Tom.

It is, apparently,  an “outrageous insult to the unionist community” and Tom demanded its immediate removal.

If he was looking for a high-profile media row, though, Tom’s efforts fell on deaf ears.

“We are not interested in being involved in a slagging match,” said a Beragh GAA spokesperson.

Better luck next time, Tom.

 ✯✯✯

Labour TD puts his foot in it

WITH OUR TRACK RECORD, we know better than to make fun of typos in print so we are just passing on this bit from flyer sent to us from Labour TD Eamon Maloney to constituents in Dublin South-West.

The opening of Brookfield Community Garden is a newly-opened community resource where “green-fingered people can garden together”, Eamon says, adding:

“All welcome – bring your willies.”

  ✯✯✯

John Drennan Prediction of the Week Award

FINE GAEL Junior Minister Brian Hayes in the Dáil on Wednesday:

“At the heart of the Sinn Féin [economic] alternative is a fundamental lie. It knows it, we know it and the country knows it. That is why it is going down in the polls and why the comeback for Sinn Féin is nowhere near.”

The Irish Times on Friday:

“The [Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI] poll shows support for the Coalition parties has slipped while backing for Sinn Féin is up and Gerry Adams is now the most popular party leader.”