Questioner claims he was pressured to ‘gun down’ Gallagher

Monaghan businessman Pat McGuirk claims he was pressured to ask Seán Gallagher a question written for him by a Frontline researcher and aimed at “gunning down” the independent presidential candidate.

He contacted the programme the week before the live presidential debate in the hope of participating in the Monday night debate. In the early stages of his communication with Frontline staff, he suggested asking candidates their intentions about presidential pay.

However, he told a newspaper yesterday that, on the weekend before the debate, programme staff moved him on to a different question and wanted him to focus exclusively on Mr Gallagher. He claims he told researchers he was not involved in any political party, but also said: “I believe in Sean Gallagher.”