German chancellor Angela Merkel sends wedding wishes to the man behind a famous flag from Euro 2012.
In 2012, while Ireland was grappling with the economic crash and subsequent European Union International Monetary Fund bailout, Richie Touhy from Dromkeen in Limerick attended the UEFA European Championships.
Richie Touhy and his friends made international headlines with their flag emblazoned with the slogan 'Angela Merkel Thinks We're at Work’. The tricolour was subsequently sold for charity, but when Richie Touhy married his German girlfriend Orlagh Eichholz, the flag was brought back for the special day.
Unknown to the couple, father of the bride Jorg Eichholz invited German chancellor Angela Merkel to the wedding. Although his invitation was declined, the newlyweds received a congratulatory letter and a signed photograph from German chancellor 's office. Angela Merkel wished the couple luck and success in the future,
It was a very nice sentiment, lovely sentiment, so it was very emotional.
Richie Touhy will be sending the German chancellor a thank you card as she is one of a long list of people who helped make the wedding day memorable.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 19 July 2019. The reporter is Tomás Ó Mainnín.
