Who thinks Sean Quinn is a great businessman now?

A lot of "ordinary citizens" whatever that means, of the border counties have been grossly offended by Dukes' remarks, and his party of which he is still a backroom dealer will pay the price.

The fact that Dukes is part of a set that wouldn't be in high-regard by many in provincial Ireland compounds the matter.

Boneheaded comments, and boneheaded defence of them from usual quarters.

The fact that certain people were on a roll bringing SF into the mire (with some success I might add) in recent weeks, and now a FG stalwart back-room big beast makes the headlines about him and unacceptable commentary should give pause for thought with the brains trust.

Will they actually pause to think? Doubtful. No matter boys, carry-on regardless. Talk about spunking momentum up against a wall.

Don't deserve a vote? Charming stuff. I happened to be on WhatsApp this morning with a colleague of mine from Louth (white collar professional, father of 3, homeowner), who would be a member of a coveted demographic for FG, and not prone to fissures of emotion on anything generally.

He was disgusted with Dukes' comments and he signed off with "typical Fine Gael".

If people don't think a lot of "ordinary citizens" in this region aren't p*ssed off with Dukes and that it hasn't confirmed lingering thoughts they harboured about FG, then I'm afraid to say they are tin-eared political illiterates.

Again, no-matter, FG will get their thumping at the ballot box up there, and as always, they'll have earned it with their arrogance.

Tell you what, walk into a place of work in Dundalk, Monaghan, Cavan and tell them violence is in their blood.

You'll walk away unharmed, but you won't forget the response you'll get.

Dig up.

Like I said, carry on the choo-choo train if you wish, but Dukes' comments have been noted, and the FG party have a PR problem on their hands courtesy of a grandee and former leader.

You don't get to tell people from the region what level offence they should take from these comments. That isn't how it works.

Deluded. FG will be going to 1 TD in the region.

You can bookmark this post, and I'll see you at GE time.

That's some serious gear you're on where you think a party grandee can drop a massive slur on a region about a sensitive issue, and...wait for it...increase their share of the vote off the back of it. 🤣

Utterly deluded to suggest Alan Dukes' comments aren't a slur on the region.

Some serious copium being consumed this afternoon.

The pom-pom crew don't know when to take their L and admit they have a f*ck up on their hands. It's something that has marked-out the party for decades, and it's not going to change. If nothing else, it's a source of great entertainment watching people shoot themselves in the groin and trying to play it off like nothing happened.