Controversial €690,000 boathouse opened

SPORT and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue was king on both land and water when he officially opened a controversial €690,000 boathouse in his South Kerry constituency, at the weekend.

Last month, the Irish Examiner revealed Killorglin Rowing Club received a €300,000 grant in breach of department guidelines after a request by Mr O'Donoghue.

The grant from lottery funds was approved one month before the 2002 general election.

Mr O'Donoghue denied he broke the rules by approving the money. He said it was a matter of public record that he had made representations on behalf of the rowing club, by writing two letters to then Sports Minister Jim McDaid.

"I did what any deputy would do in the normal course of events. I made representations on behalf of my constituents. That is what I am elected to do and it is my constitutional function," said Mr O'Donoghue at the time.

Speaking to 200 people at the opening of the facility on Saturday night, he said the club was an excellent example of the results of increasing spending by the Government on rowing €4.7m since 2002.

Meanwhile, he is coming under pressure to get money for other clubs. Independent Killarney mayor Michael Courtney said that he was disappointed an application from Commercial Rowing Club, Killarney, for funds had failed.

"It was essential that they be given every support to upgrade the club's facilities at Ross Castle, both from a sporting and tourism point of view," he said.

While welcoming funding for the Killorglin club, Mr Courtney called on the minister to "give every consideration" to the Commercial Rowing Club application, which had now been put on hold, and also to an application from St Brendan's Rowing Club, Killarney.