Consultant says comparing FG Senator Paudie Coffey to a highwayman was parody

The public relations consultant who came up with the idea of comparing a politician to an 18th century highwayman in a press release told the High Court it was meant as a parody.

Neans McSweeney, whose McSweeney Media provides consultancy to Minister of State, John Paul Phelan, sent the press release which became the basis for an article in the Kilkenny People in January 2016 headed "Coffey the Robber".