Minister apologises to hunger strike father

The man on hunger strike outside Leinster House in protest at the failure to prosecute anyone in connection with his son's death, has said Justice Minister Michael McDowell apologised to him today.

Andrew Moynihan is protesting the failure to prosecute anyone in connection with his son Adrian's death. Adrian, aged 23, died from asphyxia after being restrained by bouncers at a Cork nightclub on March 25, 2001.

Mr McDowell drew severe criticism yesterday evening when it emerged that he was in the bar at Leinster House during a Dáil debate on the matter. Mr McDowell allegedly sent a junior minister to answer questions about the issue, saying he had an important engagement to attend to.

Speaking outside Leinster House today, Andrew Moynihan said the minister apologised for his conduct last night and told him that he was not aware of his Leinster House protest.

Inside the Dáil, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern defended Mr McDowell, saying the minister had prior engagements at the time of last night's debate.

Mr Ahern claimed those meetings were cancelled at short notice, but the minister decided not to attend the debate because he had already arranged for a junior minister to answer questions on his behalf.

Mr Ahern went on to say that he had no authority to ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to re-examine the Moynihan case.