Gallagher in cash link row

Presidential front-runner Seán Gallagher has admitted asking a convicted criminal and fuel smuggler for €5,000 in a fund-raising drive for Fianna Fáil.

After being hit by an onslaught of attacks over his political past, Sinn Féin warned they would ask the donor to personally explain the circumstances of the invite.

Mr Gallagher revealed the damaging approach after facing down a string of broadsides during a live RTÉ television debate last night.

The former Fianna Fáil member claimed he was not aware of the donor’s past three years ago when he asked for the cash in return for a meet and greet with then taoiseach Brian Cowen.

But he insisted: “I’ve no recollection of getting a cheque from this guy.

“I don’t know the man very well.”

Mr Gallagher exposed the donor’s past when challenged directly over the payment by Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness on the television debate.

He had already faced a barrage of criticism from the other six presidential candidates over his political background and business deals, including a bookkeeping error over a lodged €89,000 cheque.

Mr Gallagher hit back claiming the donor had leased a constituency office to Sinn Féin on behalf of party president Gerry Adams ahead of the general election last February.

The final live debates involving the seven candidates for the Áras were marked by a string of broadsides intended to assassinate the former Fianna Fáil man’s character.

Mr McGuinness and Senator David Norris led the charge in exchanges focusing on Mr Gallagher’s fund-raising and business deals.

“There was something very rotten at the heart of the last administration. As far as I’m concerned Seán was part of that,” the Sinn Féin candidate said.

Further questions were also raised about financial dealings in Mr Gallagher’s companies, including the accounting mistake and also a company payment to himself.

Mr Gallagher insisted he was tax compliant.

Earlier, Labour leader and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said Mr Gallagher had a responsibility to open up about his ties to Fianna Fáil.

His party’s candidate Michael D Higgins launched another thinly veiled attack refusing to openly criticise before adding that Mr Gallagher’s explanation for the bookkeeping error was “rather complicated”.

Candidates first rounded on Mr Gallagher – well ahead in several opinion polls - during a lunchtime debate hosted by Google and Newstalk radio.

Later, on RTÉ’s Frontline direct attacks on the former Smarthomes director set the tone for candidates attempting to regain ground lost in the polls.

Gay Mitchell of Fine Gael, who’s campaign has been dogged by low support in the polls, and Independent Mary Davis, former head of Special Olympics in Ireland, called for more transparency.

Mr McGuinness said it was an absolute disgrace that Mr Gallagher was fund raising for Fianna Fáil as recently as two or three years ago.

He added: “I have to say I think you are in deep, deep trouble.”

Mr Gallagher denied suggestions that his role in organising for Fianna Fáil was “brown envelope”.

“I’ve never been involved in that culture,” he insisted.

Senator Norris hit out at the poll topper for comparing himself to sub-contractors and tradesmen involved in the property boom.

“I thought Sean had a bit of a neck earlier this morning where he identified with plasterers and plumbers,” the Trinity senator said.

“I just find it a little hard to take. I think what it says about the Irish people is that they have not learnt very much.”

As the row over political backgrounds deepened, islanders off Donegal cast their ballots although turnout was low. People registered to vote on islands off Mayo go to the polls tomorrow, while off Galway polling stations open on Wednesday before islanders off Cork vote with the rest of the country on Thursday.

All candidates other than Mr Gallagher and Mr Higgins have lost support since the last opinion poll.

Mr McGuinness appears to have cemented third place, while support for Senator Norris and Mr Mitchell has continued to fall.

Ms Davis has dropped into joint last place with Dana Rosemary Scallon.

Voters go to the polls on Thursday.