Posted by Kelly Fincham at 6/1/2009 6:14 PM EDT
The curse of Facebook has struck again.
Fine Gael hopeful Emma Kiernan (or Fine Girl Emma as they're calling her in Ireland) is a candidate in this week's local elections in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
And now, thanks to Facebook, voters are getting more used to seeing Fine Girl Emma than Fine Gael Emma.
It seems that a photograph of Emma partying at a friend's 30th was posted on a friend's Facebook page
From there, it was quickly lifted and emailed round Ireland.
The picture - which shows Emma sandwiched between two girls - is a little more racy than her official campaign picture.
It's caused such a stir in Ireland that someone else has set up a "Vote for Emma Kiernan" Facebook page based solely on the picture
It remains to be seen what damage, if any, this will do to Emma's nascent political career.
Friday's vote will probably tell a lot.
But it again highlights the problem with Facebook; especially for younger people.
There is no hiding place on the web. What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas anymore.