Celia Larkin
Celia Larkin is a former Irish civil servant and was the partner of then Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Bertie Ahern. Their relationship ended in April 2003. Ahern is separated, though not divorced, from his wife. There was some controversy in the media at Ahern's public presentation of his partner. No other European Heads of Government have similarly presented their partner at official engagements. Ahern was accused of hypocrisy in being associated with a woman other than his wife while being a practising Massgoer. The media discovered the couple had broken up when Larkin failed to co-host a diplomatic dinner for the visiting German Bundespräsident, although her name, along with that of the Taoiseach, was featured on the invitations. Various media reports [1] have suggested that Ahern has, since 2005, been in a relationship with his long time friend Anna Bogle.
Larkin, during the period of her relationship with Ahern, regularly acted as his consort. She also occasionally engaged in civic functions in a private capacity. For example, she launched a high speed ferry, the M.V. Jonathan Swift for Irish Ferries.
Since parting with Ahern, she has expanded her chain of beauty salons, and has appeared on Reality Television, in an RTÉ show The Restaurant, a more serene forerunner to the ITV series Hell's Kitchen.
In July 2005 Ms. Larkin was appointed to the board of the new National Consumer Agency, a Government funded consumer watchdog. Her appointment was reportedly made at Bertie Ahern's request.[2]
References
Celia Larkin now attends the University of LImerick as a mature student.
External links
- "Dublin Aflutter Over Party Featuring Premier's Partner" - New York Times
- "Celia Larkin due back before Mahon Tribunal today" - Belfast Telegraph
- "Ahern in reception invitation row" - BBC News
- "Taoiseach begins giving evidence" - BBC News
- "Tribunal to question Celia Larkin on £30,000 loan" - Irish Times
- "Ahern nominates Celia Larkin to consumer body" - Irish Times
- "Celia Larkin's aunt moves out of home after Mahon controversy" - Irish Independent
- "Celia blanked my calls for her to go" - Herald