Minister defends high-speed journey

Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan has defended himself following the revelation that he took a high-speed journey through Co Kildare in order to attend a cross-border seminar on crime.

Mr Lenihan's ministerial Merc sped along the M4 yesterday at well over the 120km/h limit.

The vehicle was escorted by three Garda outriders and driven by Mr Lenihan's trained Garda driver, who does not have to obey the speed limits.

Mr Lenihan is insisting that there was nothing wrong about his journey from a Cabinet meeting in Dublin to the seminar in Enfield, Co Meath.