Presidential hug led to ‘bogus’ action, says aide

AN Áras an Uachtaráin civil servant has claimed “bogus” disciplinary proceedings were instituted after some colleagues resented her being embraced by President Mary McAleese.

The High Court yesterday fixed a date for an injunction application to halt disciplinary proceedings being taken against the President’s protocol officer, Bridget Conway.

In an affidavit, Ms Conway claimed a working relationship with one senior official in the Áras began to deteriorate after she was hugged by the President returning from the funerals of victims of the Omagh bombing in August 1998.