Co-conspirator Colleen points out that Whelan (pronounced /ˈhwiːlən/) is an anglicisation of the Irish surname, Ó Faoláin. The surname originates from the Middle Irish ‘Úa Faeláin’ (plural, ‘Uí Faeláin’) the name of the 10th to 11th century ruling dynasy of the Déisi, a population group inhabiting the area of the modern county of Waterford and south county Tipperary in the early medieval period.  The word “faolán” is derived from the Old Irish word “faelán” meaning a small wolf.

Did anyone else spot Charlie Whelan’s ridiculous claim that he wasn’t allowed to give a view on the merits of the BA strike?  In reality he knows that it is unpopular and a negative for Unite’s political wing, the Labour Party.  So he is sidestepping the clash of interests between his paymasters and their beneficiaries.