All smiles as coalition moves to outflank Sinn Féin in twilight months

Last November’s Dublin riots were a rude awakening for a coalition that had for months coasted along in the day-to-day running of government as calls for a general election grew louder.

The budget was passed, and giveaways and supports announced as winter approached.

But then the capital city was on its knees, Helen McEntee, the justice minister, was under fire over a breakdown in law and order, and suddenly the three government parties looked tired, ...