ELECTION candidates face everything, from abuse to lunatic requests and false promises, but FF's man in Dublin West, Brian Lenihan, had a new experience this week. After featuring on Vincent Browne's late night discussion programme on 98FM, the most controversial radio show in town, the host presented him with a cheque for £1.
Brian doesn't know why, or indeed if his fellow guests Tomas MacGoilla and Tom Morrissey were similarly honoured, although it is admitted he had solicited a contribution from the host on air.
In any case, Brian's handlers intend framing Vincent's cheque and hanging it in his new Dail office next week. Some feel they should cash it on the grounds that it would be a shame not to take a pound off Browne. They are wondering, though. if either they or Vincent should register the £1 with the Department of Ethics as a political contribution. After all. the broadcaster and columnist could emerge as the next chairman of the IRTC.