1-TanaisteCapsize_DV-31-12-15 Dylan Vaughan Dylan Vaughan

Updated 16.48

TÁNAISTE JOAN BURTON joined fellow party colleague Ann Phelan in Kilkenny today to meet victims of the recent floods.

She greeted businesspeople…

Joan Burton and Ann Phelan meet businessman Shem Caulfield in Thomastown #floods pic.twitter.com/JvJE8cLXg2
— Conor Kane (@ConorKane0909) December 31, 2015

Conor Kane / Twitter

Looked appropriately dismayed…

Flooded river in the background #thomastown #floods pic.twitter.com/1DvTfucjrY
— Conor Kane (@ConorKane0909) December 31, 2015

Conor Kane / Twitter

Got into a boat…

That's Joan Burton in a boat with Ann Phelan #thomastown #floods pic.twitter.com/aZnTxgRCxa
— Conor Kane (@ConorKane0909) December 31, 2015

Conor Kane / Twitter

And then fell out of it.

31/12/2015. (Image 1).Tanaiste Burton Visits Thoma Eamonn Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Eamonn Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

31/12/2015. (Image 4).Tanaiste Burton Visits Thoma Eamonn Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Eamonn Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

1-TanaisteCapsize_DV-31-12-15 Dylan Vaughan Dylan Vaughan

2-TanaisteCapsize_DV-31-12-15 Dylan Vaughan Dylan Vaughan

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31/12/2015. (Image 3).Tanaiste Burton Visits Thoma Eamonn Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Eamonn Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

The boat carrying Tanaiste Joan Burton in Thomastown had a bit of a mishap and looked like she fell out #floods
— Conor Kane (@ConorKane0909) December 31, 2015

Conor Kane / Twitter

Luckily, the water was just ankle deep.

An eye-witness said, “She’s fine, got a bit wet but laughed it off afterwards.”

Thanks to journalist Conor Kane for the images.

Additional reporting by Christina Finn and Cianan Brennan

Originally published 15.10

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Pictures: the moment Joan Burton fell out of a boat in Kilkenny floods

She greeted businesspeople…

Looked appropriately dismayed…

Got into a boat…

And then fell out of it.

Luckily, the water was just ankle deep.

More: Where is Enda? The Taoiseach has made an appearance

Read: The apartment which lost its roof to Storm Frank was built by Priory Hall’s Tom McFeely

Related: River levels are being watched closely as towns begin flood clean-ups

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.