Child with cerebral palsy was ‘prop’ for Government photo opportunity, Dáil told

Then minister for disability Anne Rabbitte and former minister for agriculture Charlie McConalogue went to Donegal to make the announcement

Pearse Doherty said the child was used as a prop Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

A nine-year-old child with cerebral palsy was used as a “prop” for a photo opportunity by the Government during last year’s local and European elections, the Dáil has been told.

The mother of Jack Donaghey, who is from Donegal and uses a wheelchair permanently, was contacted in June last year and asked to attend the announcement of €3.6min funding for children with special needs.