Harney backs McDowell

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney yesterday accepted that Justice Minister Michael McDowell would be in a difficult position if his allegations about Frank Connolly were unfounded.

And Ms Harney also accepted that her Progressive Democrats colleague did not confide in her before leaking documentation about a false passport application to the Irish Independent.

However, in a strong defence of Mr McDowell on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, Ms Harney said he had been fully justified in the manner he released the information, given the “exceptional circumstances” of the allegations and of Mr Connolly’s position as the head of the Centre for Public Inquiry.