Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LIKELY POLL-TOPPER in Midlands-North West Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has dismissed speculation that he may choose not to take his seat in Europe and instead send a replacement.
Each non-party candidate running for an MEP seat can choose up to four ‘substitutes’ to take their seats if they’re unable (or unwilling) to continue in the Parliament.
Flanagan, who’s predicted to top the vote in the 4-seater on the basis of tallies and exit polls, has chosen garda whistleblower John Wilson as one of his possible deputies.
There was some speculation amongst commentators last night that the independent TD may choose not to head to Brussels.
“I can categorically say that if I get elected to the European Parliament I will as promised go out there and represent people there,” Ming told RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke this morning.
However, he left the door open to a possible early return from the continent, saying it was his intention to serve the full five years “but it was also my intention to stay in Dáil Éireann for the full term”.
“I decided that it was for the benefit of the Irish people if I put my name forward for the European Parliament.
Any decision I make in the future will be on the basis of what’s best for the people of Ireland.
Ming’s departure for Europe will trigger a by-election in his Dáil constituency of Roscommon-South Leitrim.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Could he not just read the Journal and find out the truth
@Aideen Pollard: most truthful comments get b
@Aideen Pollard: You mean when U.S. intelligence stated there were Weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
@Donal Desmond: US intelligence reports and memos also said there were no WMDs. The Bush administration basically “cherry picked” the intelligence that suited their narrative and ignored good intelligence reports and agents that were actually accurate.
He knows exactly what is happening the spineless little man
The Russia changed tactics after Feb 27, that is the day their troops went on a kamikaze mission into Kharkiv.
Putin was likely livid that no major city was taken 3 days after the invasion started (this was supposed to be a 3 – 4 day mission) and he ordered the generals to send troops into Kharkiv.
Bizarre scenes of un-armoured canvas covered trucks driving towards the heavily defended city centre and other scenes of a few troops walking nervously behind lightly armoured vehicles, with tactics so inept they looked like a bachelor party playing paintball.
After that mess Russian troops avoided direct confrontation with the motivated Ukrainian army, switched to sitting outside cities and firing artillery and cruise missiles at them, the invasion had failed on that day, it ground to a halt (only a few gains in the south, but that came as a cost of loosing generals that acted as cheerleaders on the front line, trying to rally the troops).
Mr putride, a thug of the highest order.
@Richard Ahern: Herr Putin.
I suppose that’s what happens when you surround yourself with sycophantic yes men?
They aren’t telling him because they are terrified of him.
Advisors also told Putin that ruble is best performing currency in March…
The truth must slip out occasionally, and the people who forget to button it get fired or put under house arrest.
Such a horrible face. His eyes are so close together. Isn’t that a sign of a looper?
They remember how his Uncle Adolf used to react to the truth?
@Gerry campbell: they reckon the battle for D Day could have been very different if anyone had dared to wake Hitler to tell him the invasion has started. As it was he slept on blissfully unaware and by the time he eventually found out priceless hours had been lost that could have been used to bolster defences.
Yeah what are the chances of that
It’ll end badly for Putin. It always does for despots like this. And soon in his case.
Beware of those whose eyebrows meet for in their heart there lies deceit.
@Aine O Connor: The hair on his head doesn’t even meet in the middle lol
have your say