ATHLEEN O'MEARA, special adviser to junior minister Eithne Fitzgerald, believes she is the first triplet to stand for the Dail. She was selected to fight for Labour in the three-seat Tipperary North constituency, where formidable opponents will be Michael Lowry, Michael O'Kennedy and Michael Smith, ex-ministers all. Should she take a seat, which it has to be said is not very likely, despite the retirement of sitting Labour deputy John Ryan, there will be considerable confusion in Leinster House.
Her identical mister Aileen is a reporter with RTE and is often to be seen waylaying politicians on their way in and out.