Questions over media relations with gardaí

FROM a political viewpoint, former minister Pat Carey had no choice but to step down as Fianna Fáil’s director of elections for the forthcoming general election.

While he has absolutely and unconditionally denied any wrongdoing in his long career, or any impropriety, amid Garda investigations into child abuse allegations dating back to the 1980s made by a woman against a former government minister, the reality is that the longer the probe continued, the more untenable his position as director of elections would become.

That is the realpolitik behind the sensational developments of recent days which have left the country’s main opposition party reeling. There can be no doubt that even though Mr Carey said in a statement that he does not know if the allegations of abuse in the media relate to him, he knew the party’s electoral prospects would be seriously damaged if he remained in the post. He has also decided to step aside from membership of Fianna Fáil and vacate his position as chair of the Red Cross.