Cox misused position, say Greens

EUROPEAN Parliament President Pat Cox has been accused of abusing his position by using a garda escort for his Nice campaign bus.

The Green Party claimed the gardaí were compromised by providing an escort to the Yes campaign and providing Mr Cox with VIP treatment when he was not on official business.

Dublin supporters on their way to the All-Ireland U21 final in Portlaoise on Sunday were forced to pull over as Mr Cox’s bus zoomed by escorted by a garda motorcycle, according to the Greens.

Campaigners, including Mr Cox, disembarked from the bus on arrival at the O’Moore Park in Portlaoise to distribute Yes to Nice leaflets to match-goers, Green Party campaign director, Paul Gogarty TD said.

“While we knew that the Government were going to pull out all the stops to pass Nice II, we didn’t realise that they would stoop so low as to compromise the position of the Garda Síochána.

“What next, the Army distributing Yes campaign leaflets?” Mr Gogarty said.

A spokesperson for Mr Cox yesterday said he did not request an escort on Sunday.

Campaigners on board the bus said the garda escort was provided to get the bus from Portlaoise prison to the stadium as it was stuck in traffic.