Fionnán Sheahan: June referendum in doubt as Simon Harris fears another heavy defeat

EU patents court poll was expected to go ahead in the summer

Taoiseach Simon Harris sees more benefit in postponing EU patent court referendum. Photo: PA

Fionnán Sheahan

It was a sign of trouble to come. In the aftermath of the embarrassing double referendum defeat last month, Simon Harris was ringing colleagues to gauge the temperature after the record-breaking losses in the votes on family and care.

A close ally of Harris said he was “on manoeuvres”. But it was St Patrick’s week, ministers were away and Leinster House was out of action.