Taoiseach mounts further defence of Michael McDowell

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has mounted a further defence of Justice Minister Michael McDowell over his controversial remarks about 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.