- NEWS
Appeal for public help in double murder probeA double murder investigation involving more than 50 gardaí got under way in Killorglin, Co Kerry, after autopsies confirmed a Lithuanian woman and her young daughter had died violently.
US research links autism to pollution levels Pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of air pollution were twice as likely to have a child with autism as women who lived in low pollution areas, a US study shows.
- WORLD
Whitey Bulger shot Boston bar owner, says convicted murderer Accused Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and one of his associates shot dead a bar owner in a phone booth for bragging about helping the "Winter Hill Gang" with another killing, an ex-convict and confessed murderer has testified.
Brand divorced me by text, says Perry Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.
- BUSINESS
Aircraft leasing firm buys 10 Boeing jetsShannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.
20% of rich see value of assets halved Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.
- SPORT
GPA may get involved over Friday night championship dictatThe GPA could yet act on the behalf of the Carlow and Laois football panels as they have confirmed neither they nor the players were consulted about Friday week's All-Ireland round one qualifier.
Kearney keeps eyes on main prize Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday's all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.
- LIFESTYLE
Bradley bares his soul Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power
Body of evidence: do we fear nudity or nakedness?Do it together and it's harmless, do it alone and it's criminal, says Suzanne Harrington
16-19C
Breaking stories
FF urges Kenny to back up file-shredding claim
Claims that the previous government may have shredded files relating to the bank guarantee have backfired on the Taoiseach, who was accused of casting unfair aspersions on the late Brian Lenihan.
By Mary Regan, Political Correspondent
Fianna Fáil last night challenged the Taoiseach to provide evidence to back up his “flippant claims” or else withdraw them from the Dáil record. Enda Kenny made the comments during leaders’ questions, when he was asked what progress was being made in renegotiating the crippling bank debt.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin called for “more openness and transparency” about what the Government was looking for from its European partners.
Mr Kenny responded: “In respect of the bank guarantee which you completed at four o’clock in the morning, nobody in the country knows what you said. There is no file in the Department of the Taoiseach on this.
“It’s either shredded or disposed of, dispatched of.”
His spokesperson said last night the Taoiseach was merely stating the fact that files relating to the guarantee did not exist in his department and was “hypothesising as to what might have happened” to them.
The spokesperson could not say what attempts, if any, had been made to establish the existence of such files when Mr Kenny came into office in Mar 2011.
In a statement last night, Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesman Michael McGrath said the Taoiseach must clarify what evidence he had that the files were shredded and whether he had referred any such evidence to gardaí.
“If he has no such evidence, then the comments should be withdrawn,” he said.
The Cork South Central TD said civil servants working for the Taoiseach could clarify the existence of any such file.
“It ill behoves the Taoiseach to cast aspersions in this way on persons that could include serving and former civil servants, his predecessor as taoiseach and former government ministers — one of whom is deceased.”
Brian Lenihan — who died a year ago — was minister for finance on the night the guarantee was decided in Sept 2008.
The Taoiseach’s spokes-person said Mr Kenny was not suggesting some civil servants may have been party to shredding a file and said “he is not making any allegation of that sort”.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved