Sean Gallagher’s links to Fianna Fail may cost him the Presidential election – after confirmation he collected a donation to the party from a convicted criminal just three years ago.
The controversy has seen support for Gallagher slump with the bookies with Labor’s Michael D Higgins re-installed as favorite to win the Thursday election.
Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness landed the potential bodyblow in a live television debate on Monday night when he outlined details of Gallagher’s involvement in a near $8,000 donation by a fuel smuggler.
Gallagher tried to distance himself from the allegation at first but has now admitted that he ‘may have delivered the donation from a convicted criminal and fuel smuggler’ in 2008.
The Irish Examiner newspaper has named the donor as Hugh Morgan, a Newry based businessman who was convicted of smuggling fuel in the 1990s when he received a suspended sentence. Morgan also has close links with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
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Having at first denied McGuinness’s claims that he had personally collected the cheque from Morgan’s home after a Dundalk fundraiser for Brian Cowen, Gallagher then backtracked.
Although he said he didn’t want to cast aspersions on the candidate, Gallagher then admitted: “He’s a convicted criminal, a fuel smuggler, investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau and rented the office out to Gerry Adams, Martin’s colleague, in the last general election. I don’t want to get involved in this.”
Pushed as to whether or not he had accepted the cheque from Morgan, Gallagher added: “I have no recollection of getting a cheque from this guy. I can tell you, let me explain this very simply. I explained that there were two or three people that I asked. I don’t know the man very well that’s in question.”
McGuinness has vowed to expand on the issue at a press conference on Tuesday although Sinn Fein have denied that Morgan will attend the event.
Responding to claims from McGuinness that he had driven to the man’s house to deliver a photo from the 2008 event and collect the check in question, Gallagher appeared to back-up the Sinn Fein story.
“What I have done, I may well have delivered the photograph. If he gave me an envelope I . . . if he gave me the cheque it was made out to Fianna Fáil headquarters and it was delivered and that was that. It was nothing to do with me,” said Gallagher who also denied he was aware of Morgan’s background in 2008.
McGuinness maintains that Morgan was one of 35 people invited to the Cowen led Fianna Fail fundraiser at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Dundalk when each guest contributed almost $8,000 to party funds.
“This particular gentleman told me that not alone did Seán arrange it, Seán arranged for the photographs and brought the photographs to his house and Seán also called around to his house to collect the cheque for €5,000,” said McGuinness.
“Now that is indisputable. That’s an absolute disgrace and clearly shows the rottenness of the system that went before in terms of the cronyism, the developers, the speculators and those who effectively destroyed the economy of this country and Seán is up to his neck in all of that.”
The Fianna Fail links is clearly hurting Gallagher with commentators convinced it could yet cost him the election.
A former member of the party’s National Executive, Gallagher is now out to 5/4 from 1/3 with bookmakers who make Higgins the new favorite at 4/5.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.DanOLoingsigh | Oct 28, 2011, 10:13 AM EDT
Seano - the quote is as posted below on 26th at 01:31 hrs. The quote comes from an interview with Hot Press magazine, and explains why the families of the dead men thought he should not be elected...the reason why it's not selective is that no other candidate ever made such justification...it was another poster who raised the issue of 'short memory'...
seanomelbourne | Oct 27, 2011, 06:39 PM EDT
None of the candidates claimed it was OK to kill a garda or an Irish soldier.Prove your point dan when and where did McGuiness make such a statement and what did he say.
DanOLoingsigh | Oct 27, 2011, 09:57 AM EDT
Seano - as always I try to be even-handed; surprisingly I just couldn't find one single quote from any other candidate setting out circumstances where it would be OK to kill a Garda or an Irish Soldier. As you say, it's all about glasshouses, only some didn't throw stones, they blew the glasshouse to bits...
seanomelbourne | Oct 26, 2011, 07:43 PM EDT
dan should that read "longer and selective"
DanOLoingsigh | Oct 26, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT
pilib04 - some of us have slightly longer memories - 1985 when McGunness explained when it was OK to kill an Irish Army soldier or a garda “Except in circumstances, like in Ballinamore, where IRA volunteers felt they were going to be shot dead and were defending themselves against armed Gardaí and soldiers"...well done Martin, indeed...
seanomelbourne | Oct 26, 2011, 03:53 AM EDT
Gallagher consorting with criminals he now is a has been and handed higgins the Aras.Well done Martin these lying politicians need exposing,they are a parcel of rogues in a nation.
pilib04 | Oct 25, 2011, 10:50 PM EDT
The real surprise is that the Irish people have such short memories. This is a disgrace, but it is the voters of Ireland who are the real disgrace.
canadianirish | Oct 25, 2011, 08:08 PM EDT
As an outsider, I've quite enjoyed watching the presidential debates on rte.ie, especially the debate last evening. I must say, were it not for David Norris, these debates would have been one big yawn. I say this because he provided the most laughs of all. I really enjoy the way he jumps right in which is what a true debate is all about. I only wish that Martin McGuinness had done the same. He did on one or two occasions but I was hoping to see him really mix it up last night. It would've been nice if he had admitted that atrocities and murders were committed by both sides during the Troubles although he didn't deny that they had. As a Canadian outsider, I was aghast at the comment made by a 30 year old woman in the audience. She asked Martin McGuinness what relevance he has to the Presidency since he comes from a different country and added that she knew nothing about the Troubles in NI and didn't want to know about them. Whoa! I was astounded that a 30 year old Irish woman would not have studied this subject while in school. And to think she has no interest in the subject, well, it floored me. I hope she's not representative of most Irish 30 year olds. As I've posted previously, I genuinely like and admire Michael D. Higgins but Martin McGuinness would get my vote. He comes across as the MOST presidential of all the candidates. I wish Mr. McGuinness all the best on election day!
seanomelbourne | Oct 25, 2011, 05:31 PM EDT
Gallagner haning around with known criminals.The old story people in glasshouses etc. etc.
cuddlybuddly | Oct 25, 2011, 03:25 PM EDT
I think Martin Mc Guinness showed ample competence in assessing the 'truth' of every situation from the The War, to the IRA, To the grieving families to the Bull shittery of Fianna Fail...Go Martin!
Paradigm | Oct 25, 2011, 01:20 PM EDT
Isn't it obvious - the bookies tried to buy the election last week with false odds and they haven't given up. $8,000 dollars allegedly via Gallagher to FF - what about the £26,000,000 Sinnfein/IRA heist at the Northern Bank. Doesn't the Presidential battle stink?
antoman | Oct 25, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT
cillowen is another poster with mental health issues. The damage this recession has done is plain as day for all to see. Protect your mental health. antoman.
cillowen | Oct 25, 2011, 10:30 AM EDT
flustered incapable, tries to hide. sad potential for an island slice that's totally dysfunctional.
cillowen | Oct 25, 2011, 10:29 AM EDT
flustered incapable, tries to hide. sad potential for an ireland slice that's totally dysfunctional.
cillowen | Oct 25, 2011, 10:27 AM EDT
gallagher is a zero
cillowen | Oct 25, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT
Gallagher was flushed out last night - like a rabbit whose comfort zone was breached. This Sean fellow as president is what an Erin deserves - one who felt besieged from all quarters. This morning he would accuse a lady questioner of last night's debate of being in bed with a party - her call to the radio station put an end to Sean's imagining. His Presidency would do much for his Fianna Failed party, vote on stupid ones, vote on for FF turkeys.
johhnyb | Oct 25, 2011, 09:46 AM EDT
We don't need a candidate with links to criminals do we Martin?
antoman | Oct 25, 2011, 08:49 AM EDT
Gallagher is cut from the same cloth as Haughey. Another brown envelope man. And can someone tell me why he was wearing lipstick during last nights presidential debate? Game over Gallagher. Game over.