Speculation that O'Leary will be forced to resign

Speculation that Fianna Fail activist Dermot O’Leary may be forced to resign as an Aer Rianta director is growing tonight following a meeting between Aer Rianta chairman Noel Hanlon and Public Enterprise Minister Mary O’Rourke.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Hanlon said the minister ordered him to contact Mr O’Leary by telephone to seek clarification about favours he did for disgraced TD Liam Lawlor earlier this month.

Mr O’Leary arranged for Mr Lawlor to be secretly escorted out of Dublin Airport so he could avoid reporters waiting to question him about his imminent jail term.

Mr Hanlon refused to say what he discussed with Mrs O’Rourke today, but revealed that he was told to report back to the minister tonight.

This apparent haste has fuelled speculation that Mr O’Leary will be sacked over the Lawlor incident.