Fianna Fáil TD and Taoiseach 'clash over Grace Dáil speech'

John McGuinness claims the Taoiseach criticised him for 'abusing Dáil privilege' in a speech about the Grace case, though the Taoiseach's office denies this

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is alleged to have clashed with Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness over the content of a speech in the Dáil. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie

Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested that party colleague John McGuinness "abused Dáil privilege" in a speech on the Grace case, during which Mr McGuinness said HSE officials were "criminals".

According to multiple sources, during last week's parliamentary party meeting, Mr Martin "robustly" defended himself against Mr McGuinness, who raised delays in the Grace case and also the death of Shane O'Farrell in a hit-and-run accident.