FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has denied any undue delay on his part in dealing with the implications of an incident involving Cork South West TD PJ Sheehan and a garda on duty at Leinster House in the early hours of July 8th last.
According to a leaked Garda report, Mr Sheehan, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, had been prevented from driving out of Leinster House and had, as a result, threatened the promotion prospects of the garda who refused to let him drive.
Mr Kenny was reportedly present at the time and is said to have advised the gardaí to ignore Mr Sheehan’s remarks.
Speaking to reporters at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co Kildare yesterday, Mr Kenny admitted the incident was an embarrassment to the party, but added that it was completely out of character for the TD in question.
Mr Kenny said he had acted immediately when he became aware of the full facts.
“I spoke to the deputy, he issued a full and unreserved apology and he has tendered his resignation, which I accepted, as a junior spokesperson on agriculture.
“These things are always embarrassing, the gardaí have their job to do and they do it in exemplary fashion and I can’t comment on their production of a report.”
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said yesterday he had requested a report on the incident and said the officer who handled the investigation into the matter had his full support.
Mr Murphy said when the media in the past week became aware of the incident, he contacted Assistant Commissioner Mick Feehan, who is in charge of policing in the Dublin region, and sought a report on the matter.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin yesterday, Mr Murphy said: “The superintendent in charge of the district in Pearse Street made a decision on the facts before him. He doesn’t intend to take any further police action on it. I respect that decision and stand over that decision.”
“I haven’t set up any investigation . . . but I have asked for a report, that’s the position.”
In his “full and unreserved apology”, Mr Sheehan said this behaviour was totally out of character “in my 30 years in politics” and said he would express in writing “deep personal apologies and regrets” to the gardaí involved.