An interesting scene in the Pembroke Restaurant last week where Magill magazine was having its Christmas party - yes, they were too busy trying to bring down the government to have it before Christmas.

However, it was also a farewell dinner for departing editor John Ryan and former publisher, Michael Doherty.

It was strangely an appropriate moment given that the next day Magill would be publishing details on Dermot Desmond’s financial donations to Charles J Haughey and, as the gathering enjoyed their pre-prandial drinks,the entire Magill crew and friends rushed over to the bar’s TV to watch the 9 o’clock News which was leading on Magill’s impending revelations. A cheer went up when reporter, Ursula Halligan, appeared on screen. The locals were somewhat bemused, and none more so than Morrissey, legendary singer and ex-Smiths frontman, who had wandered in for a quiet drink with some friends. Generally quite indifferent to politics and matters of the State, even he he wondered about the people cheering themselves on the screen. Unfortunately, John Ryan broke the Dublin rule, about not accosting celebrities, by going over and saying "I know it’s deeply uncool to do so, but I thought I’d say Hello".

Morrissey shrugged a sly smile.No more than Charles Haughey perhaps when he read the next day’s revelations about his Dermot Desmond and his money.

This Charming Man, indeed.

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