Tribunal leaks were illegal and malicious

I HOPE we have not heard the end of the controversy over the leaking of the Taoiseach’s evidence to the Mahon Tribunal.

Bertie Ahern, in seeking to give as full a reply as possible to the tribunal’s enquiries into entirely separate matters, provided comprehensive documentation which, on at least two occasions, was illegally, and with malicious intent, leaked to the media.

That this information was initially freely given by the Taoiseach, and with the full expectation that he would be thoroughly cross-examined on all matters arising from it, makes it clear to me he had nothing to hide.

If this happened in another country, there would be grand jury investigations into how this subversive activity was allowed to happen, who was responsible, who it was intended to benefit and, most importantly, how to ensure it never happened again.

In good old Ireland we’re more concerned with how much the Taoiseach paid for his curtains. The gardaí are right to initiate a criminal investigation into the matter. I only hope the media will pursue and report on this angle of the controversy with at least as much vigour and enthusiasm.

Conor Allen

St Catherine’s Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin