Finnegan’s awake

Robert Finnegan took to the stage in front of a racuous, well lubricated crowd

Robert Finnegan:  discovered his inner rock star. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times
Robert Finnegan: discovered his inner rock star. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times

Robert Finnegan, chief executive of the mobile operator Three Ireland, discovered his inner rock star at the 3Lounge in the Aviva stadium following the rugby last weekend. And he loved every minute of it.

Finnegan took to the stage in front of a racuous, well lubricated crowd to announce that the O2 brand was being jettisoned as of last Monday. Three bought O2 Ireland for up to €850 million in 2013.

Demanding cheers from the assembled horde, he was actually quite funny. He even upstaged the whimsical RTE sports broadcaster, Des Cahill, who was the MC of the event.

As Finnegan warmed to his theme, cracking jokes and conducting the crowd, a single boo rang out. "There's always one Vodafone customer in the room," he quipped.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Listen to the Inside Business podcast for a look at business and economics from an Irish perspective

  • Sign up to the Business Today newsletter for the latest news and commentary in your inbox

Mark Paul

Mark Paul

Mark Paul is London Correspondent for The Irish Times