Mary's "Manor banana" was how some locals in Manorhamilton yesterday were describing the controversy over the Tánaiste's use of an Air Corps aircraft to fly to the opening of a friend's off-licence in the town.
Most people were more bemused by the controversy than indignant over the questionable use of public money. Others believed Manorhamilton didn't get enough visits from people like Ms Harney.
The function, by all accounts, was a very successful and jovial affair. A mixture of people attended although business people and professionals were in a majority.
The owner of the off-licence, Mr Fergus O'Hagan, a Dublin-based barrister is an old friend of Ms Harney's. Originally from the town, his sister is a local doctor. The family owned a pub many years ago.
"If she was hearing about problems it was more the problems of the business people rather than people who can't get a bed in the local hospital," said one local man.
In the town yesterday, it was generally accepted that the opening on December 14th, at which free drink was served, was open to anybody who chose to call in. It was well known around the town that day that a function was being held and that Ms Harney would be attending.
A number of people, ranging from local business people to campaigners opposed to changes in FÁS schemes, took the opportunity to raise issues with her.
Mr Oliver Haslette, the managing director of Merenda, one of the largest factories in the town, defended the visit.
"We so seldom get the opportunity that a function like that presents, that we have to grasp it," he said. He also questioned the amount of money the flight would have cost, saying he believed the staff would have been on duty anyway and that the only real expense was the fuel used.
Mr Haslette said the issues he raised with her concerned the creation of jobs. "I got a marvellous opportunity, as I know others did as well, to put certain issues before her relating to the creation of jobs and the need to utilise facilities in the town," he said.
The off-licence is in an old stone building, which after years of lying derelict has been tastefully restored. Inside, it is like any modern off-licence stocked with a large selection of wine and other drinks.
The manager said he had been told not to make any comment about the controversy. A copy of Phoenix magazine, which covered the story, was sitting on the counter.
Film-maker Johnny Gogan, who lives in the town, was holding a screening of his latest movie The Map Maker on the same night. He attended the party because he called in to buy some wine for the screening.
He described the controversy as "a storm in a tea-cup" and said he believed it was important that people like Ms Harney visited the town. "There was a great atmosphere around that night, a sense of things happening. It's something new in the town and these things do add up, and create a certain confidence around the place," he said.