Doubt is now cast over Presidential front-runner Sean Gallagher after he had a disastrous debate on RTÉ’s Frontline with Pat Kenny last night.
The hot topic of conversation on the final presidential debate was whether or not Sean Gallagher received a ‘brown-paper envelope’ from a businessman/convicted criminal to the tune of €5,000 back in 2008. Turns out, he did.
It was thanks to Sinn Féin’s detective work that the revelation came to light on the show. During the show Martin McGuinness stated that before the programme went live, he spoke to “a businessman” about a Fianna Fáil fundraiser, which took place shortly after Brian Cowen became Taoiseach.
McGuinness stated that the businessman claimed Mr Gallagher had called personally to his home to collect “a donation” on behalf of Fianna Fáil following the fundraiser.
During the debate Gallagher repeatedly denied the allegations saying they were “not true”. After some time Gallagher conceded that he may have delivered “a photograph” to the businessman in question, but denied collecting a cheque.
Gallagher then tried to throw host Pat Kenny off the topic by saying the businessman was “a convicted criminal, a fuel smuggler… and rented the office out to Gerry Adams, Martin’s colleague, in the last general election.” The businessman is believed to be convicted fuel smuggler Hugh Morgan, reports the Irish Examiner.
Gallagher then said he had “no recollection of receiving a cheque form the businessman”. However after some grilling from both Marty McGuinness and Pat Kenny, Gallagher said that the businessman might have given him an envelope.
“If he gave me the cheque, it was made out to Fianna Fáil headquarters and it was delivered, and that was that. It had nothing to do with me.”
Yesterday morning it looked as if it was Gallagher’s race to lose. Today it looks as if he has he may have tripped at the last hurdle. Typical.
