Taoiseach facing Dáil questions over Connolly claims

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is expected to come under pressure in the Dáil today over Justice Minister Michael McDowell's controversial accusations against Frank Connolly.

Mr McDowell has been widely criticised for using his Dáil privilege to claim the journalist and anti-corruption campaigner travelled to Colombia on a false passport as part of an IRA mission to train local rebels in the use of explosives.

He has also admitted that he personally leaked details of the passport application to a national newspaper.

Mr Connolly has denied the claim and has accused the minister of trying to destroy his career and undermine the Centre for Public Inquiry, of which he is executive director.

Mr McDowell, however, has defended his actions, claiming he is entitled to abandon the principle of 'innocent before proven guilty' when there is a threat to the security of the State.

The Opposition, however, says he has yet to explain how Mr Connolly poses such a threat.