Lukewarm Limerick Welcome for “Bertie the Bum”

There has been a lukewarm reaction to the announcement of today’s visit by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visit to the region.

The Taoiseach, who has gotten himself caught up in several “scandals”, will have fifteen engagements in both the Limerick and Clare region.

But some local politicians have been less than complimentary about Mr. Ahern.

Former Limerick Mayor Diarmiuid Scully has accused him of instigating “a charter for corruption.”

“In failing to acknowledge his wrongdoings, he has, in effect, instigated a charter of corruption in Irish politics,” the former Mayor has told the Limerick Leader.

Meanwhile, County Councillor David Naughton is less than pleased with Ahern and his conduct in relation to accepting large sums of money from “friend” to pay his bills, and has also called for him to resign.

“I am totally disgusted. As far as I am concerned, he is only a bum. Politics has sunk to a new low when a Prime Minister of this country is a bum.”

Despite these strong words from members of the government opposition parties, the Fianna Fail hacks in Limerick are confident of a warm welcome for their beloved leader in Limerick. Councillor Kieran O’Hanlan is believes so anyway. “I’m sure there will be a warm welcome for the Taoiseach in Limerick. In my view, he explained everything in an open and transparent fashion in the Dáil and to the country as a whole. No politician has ever had their family life and personal affairs interfered with as much as the Taoiseach. He made all his financial records going back 30 years availible. He has put them in the public domain and they are there for all to see. Now we need to get back to the business of governing the country.”

Bertie has spent the morning shaking babies and kissing hands in Moyross. According to the City Edition of the Limerick Leader, he is only here to shake hands and is not expected to make any major announcements.

After spending an hour in Moyross, he is off to some local schools. An Modscoil Luimnaí, as well as the new Gaelcoláiste Luimnaí at Sir Harry’s Mall are amongst the schools being visited.

He will be dedicating the afternoon to the people of County Clare, when he will visit Shannon to meet the local Chamber or Commerce. A meeting with the West On Track lobby group has also been scheduled.