Howlin sorry for his ‘cack-handed’ criticism of judge

PUBLIC Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has apologised to Bryan McMahon, chairman of the Referendum Commission, for criticising the advice the retired judge issued to the public on the failed Oireachtas inquiries referendum.

Mr Howlin said he had not intended to slight Mr McMahon. “If he feels in any way that there was a slight, then I unreservedly give such an apology,” Mr Howlin told RTÉ Radio yesterday.

“It was not my intention to slight them [the commission] in any way. If that is their view... I unreservedly apologise for that.”