O’Donoghue silent on €126k travel bills

UNDER-fire Dáil Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue yesterday refused to explain how he and his wife had run up massive luxury travel bills footed by the taxpayer.

During a two-year period as Arts, Sports and Tourism Minister Mr O’Donoghue, his wife Kate Anne and an aide cost the State more than €126,000 in official travel expenses.

The taxpayer forked out for hotel suites costing €900 a night in Paris, €7,591 on “airport pick-ups” during a two-day visit to London, €250 for water taxis in Venice and €120 for “hat hire”.