TD threatens libel for report on Dáil paedophile inquiry

A FINE Gael TD and his Dáil running mates were last night embroiled in a row which could see them on opposite sides in a libel battle.

Clare deputy Pat Breen has threatened legal action against the Irish Examiner over the reporting of a parliamentary question he tabled on the possible early release of a convicted paedophile.

The article quoted Mr Breen’s Fine Gael running mate in Clare, former senator, Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn, criticising him over the Oireachtas question.

Lawyers acting for Mr Breen claim the report implied the TD was “sympathetic towards paedophiles”.

However, Irish Examiner editor Tim Vaughan staunchly defended the article.

“The Irish Examiner denies categorically that Mr Breen was libelled and will strongly defend any action that he may take.

“If he sues, we will be prepared to join his party colleagues Madeleine Taylor Quinn and Joe Carey as co-defendants in any action,” he said.

Ms Taylor Quinn stood by her remarks.

“I am quite mystified at this latest development. I made a comment on a matter of public interest. Deputy Breen needs time to reflect on the consequences of his actions, both legally and politically,” she said.

A libel action by Mr Breen against the Irish Examiner could see Ms Taylor Quinn’s comments about him feature significantly in the case, legal experts said. Mr Breen drew criticism after he tabled a Dáil question to Justice Minister Michael McDowell into the possibility of early release of sex offender Joseph Nugent, 74.

The farmer, from Drumellihy, Cree, Co Clare, is serving a six-year prison sentence for the abuse of two young boys and is due for release in February 2008. Mr McDowell ruled out the possibility of an early release in his Dáil response.

The Irish Examiner report of the reaction generated by the question quoted Ms Taylor Quinn saying she was “taken aback that Deputy Breen would make representations on behalf of a paedophile in the form of a Dáil question”.

“A phone call to the prison section of the department would have established the facts in relation to the release, but tabling a Dáil question is acknowledged by all as a serious representation and it is unfortunate that he has adopted that route,” she added.

Another FG running mate of Mr Breen, Cllr Joe Carey, said it was “inappropriate” for Mr Breen to have tabled the question.

The fourth Fine Gael candidate in the constituency, Tony Mulcahy, backed Mr Breen’s decision.

He was quoted as saying: “On the basis that Deputy Breen was asked by relatives to find out information on the release date. I think it is fair enough that he asked a question on that basis.”

Mr Breen, who has also threatened action against the Evening Herald, declined to comment further yesterday, as did Mr Carey.

A FG spokesman said: “The legal proceedings being contemplated are solely against the two newspapers. No legal action has been threatened against running mates.”