Rabbitte in vicious attack on Martin

LABOUR leader Pat Rabbitte yesterday launched an extraordinary attack on Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin, asserting he “lied” over the nursing home charges scandal.

The unprecedented accusation by a party leader against a senior minister sparked a furious political row last night, with Mr Martin dismissing the claims as unsubstantiated “abuse”.

Mr Rabbitte added that he had done everything possible to force the “cowardly” cabinet minister from office - short of physically belting him.