Drunk TD ‘threat’ to ruin garda career
Enda Kenny told sergeant: ‘Ignore him’
By JODY CORCORAN EXCLUSIVE
Sunday September 19 2010
A Garda has said that a drunken Fine Gael TD threatened to damage her career after she had prevented him from driving his car from Leinster House, the Sunday Independent can reveal.
The TD, PJ Sheehan, is said, in an official garda report, to have told the officer she would never be promoted, that “when we get into power you will get nothing” and that she would be “in trouble for this”.
Mr Sheehan, 77, a TD for Cork South West, is said to have been “extremely intoxicated” at the time, to the point that he required assistance to “remain upright”.
The report also states that Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was leaving Leinster House at the time, at about 1am on July 8 last. When Mr Kenny was spoken to by the garda sergeant in charge that night he is said to have told the sergeant to “ignore what Mr Sheehan had said”.
In a detailed account of the incident, the garda sergeant said: “I am shocked that an elected representative should threaten to damage the career of a garda who acted in good faith to ensure the safety of that elected representative.”
He requested that the incident be brought to the attention of the “relevant authority”. It is understood there has been no subsequent garda investigation into the incident. Asked what, if any, action would be taken, a garda spokesman yesterday said: “No comment.”
Yesterday Mr Sheehan admitted that an incident had occurred. Initially he denied he had “threatened” or had made physical contact with the garda. Then he said: “I can’t remember what went on. I remember the garda. I can’t recollect now… I’m not saying that I didn’t… I was very tired after a hard day in work.”
- JODY CORCORAN EXCLUSIVE
Sunday Independent
Comment :
What can anyone say to that?
Sheehan’s behaviour was disgraceful. He should have been booted from Fine Gael months ago. His continued presence in party is yet another example of the low standards set for Irish politicians.