Remark comparing Ahern to convicted criminal made 'at particular point in time' — Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made the comments after Bertie Ahern had resigned from Fianna Fáil in May 2008 and after his evidence at the Mahon tribunal. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has defended old comments he made about Bertie Ahern, comparing his Mahon Tribunal defence to convicted criminal John Gilligan, saying the remarks were made at a "particular point in time".

It emerged on Wednesday that Mr Ahern has rejoined Fianna Fáil more than a decade after he quit the party in the wake of the findings of the Mahon tribunal.