Kenny defends party's handling of Sheehan incident

The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is rejecting claims he could have acted earlier to address an incident at Leinster House involving one of the party's TDs.

PJ Sheehan resigned as junior Agriculture spokesperson yesterday after he allegedly threatened a female Garda outside the Dáil who tried to stop him from driving his car because he had been drinking.

The Garda Commissioner is seeking a report into the matter to decide if further action is required.

Mr Kenny, who was leaving Leinster House at the same time as the incident involving PJ Sheehan, has said he only became aware of the full facts yesterday.

It is understood the 77-year-old Cork South West deputy made drunken threats to a female Garda in the early hours of July 8 after she tried to stop him driving.

The Fine Gael leader, speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, said the incident is an embarrassment to the party and should never have happened.