Gallagher: FF fundraiser was 'legitimate and legal'

Independent Presidential candidate, Seán Gallagher has slammed what he called an attempt at "political assassination" by Martin McGuinness and Sinn Féin.

It comes after last night's final TV presidential debate was dominated by claims that Seán Gallagher may have taken money for Fianna Fáil at a fundraiser.

Mr Gallagher said in a statement today: "This was a legitimate and legal fundraiser. No banks were robbed and no members of the Gardaí were killed during it.

"This attempt to slur me and my campaign will not succeed."

"I have fought a clean campaign beyond reproach now Martin McGuinness and Sinn Féin have come out against me for two reasons. Firstly I called on all candidates and members of the public to come forward with any information about brutal murder of Detective Garda Gerry (sic) McCabe who was killed tragically in performance of his duties in protecting this state and secondly because of my position in the opinion polls.

"This has made me a target for slurs and untruths.

"This was a political assassination attempt by Martin McGuinness and Sinn Féin last night. The person in question Hugh Morgan is a convicted criminal and he loaded the gun while Martin McGuinness pulled the trigger. I told the truth on 'Frontline'.

"Martin McGuinness said that I visited Hugh Morgan after the event to deliver a photograph and collect the cheque. This is untrue.

"I am pleased that Fianna Fáil have clarified on the Pat Kenny Show this morning that they received a cheque of €5,000 date the 26th of June 2008 from Mr Morgan and that this donation was acknowledged and receipted and lodged to their bank account on the 28th of June in advance of the event which was held on the 1st of July."

In its statement, Fianna Fáil said: "This donation was acknowledged by letter from our then Financial Controller. An official Fianna Fáil receipt was included with this letter."

Mr Gallagher said: "So I could not have collected any cheque from Mr Morgan after the event when I delivered the photograph, which he was very insistent that he wanted, to him.

"Today when evidence has emerged that refutes Mr McGuinness’s claims he has changed his story. This is despite he claims that he spoke to Mr Morgan only two hours before the debate where Mr McGuinness levelled these untrue accusations at me. Martin McGuinness is just not credible.

The businessman is believed to be Hugh Morgan, who received a suspended sentence in a Belfast court in the late 1990s for fuel smuggling and tax evasion. He now runs a company called Morgan Fuels Ireland Limited.

"I urge all my supporters around the country to stay focussed on a positive campaign. Sinn Féin were out to get me. I will fight on in a positive way as I have been for the future and the good of this great country. The people of Ireland will have their say on Thursday."

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