Pat Carey: Abuse claims ‘unfounded’

Former minister Pat Carey has stepped down as Fianna Fáil’s director of elections, saying he does not know if he is the minister at the centre of a Garda investigation into alleged child abuse claims.

Following days of speculation, Mr Carey broke his silence on the issue but insisted that he had no knowledge of the complaints made and that he absolutely denied any impropriety.

In a statement issued though his solicitors, the former TD said he was “deeply upset” to have been contacted in recent days about the claims, but that he would also step down from his public roles.