PARTY THINK-INS aren’t all about booze-ups. Labour TDs and Senators were entertained after their post-meeting dinner by a stand-up routine from deputies Aodhán Ó Ríordáin from Dublin North Central (above) and Derek Nolan of Galway West.

Both are accomplished mimics and, by all accounts, their Star Wars-themed routine went down a treat.

Complete with swishing laser sabre sound effects, Aodhán and Derek performed a fight between Eamon Gilmore and Joan Burton which had colleagues rolling in the aisles. The talented duo also took off Mark Garrett – Gilmore’s chief adviser – to a tee, down to his fluttering hands. RTÉ’s David McCullagh also got the Nolan/ Ó Ríordáin treatment.

But Cork’s Michael McCarthy is Labour’s best mimic.

His most recent triumph followed the resignation of junior minister Willie Penrose. McCarthy phoned up colleague Dominic Hannigan, pretending to be Eamon Gilmore’s secretary Doreen, and told him to await a call from the leader.

Poor Dominic went out and bought a new tie and was seen pacing the corridors waiting for the call and offer of promotion.

Cruel, but not without precedent. Brian Cowen, another great mimic, phoned Dick Roche during a cabinet reshuffle, pretending to be taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Dick appeared in a new suit on the strength of the call.