Gilmartin: The man who brought down top politicians

TOM GILMARTIN could well claim to have been responsible for exposing the dodgy finances of two of the leading politicians of his time.

He achieved much more, of far more personal importance, in his work and family lives but he will probably be remembered as the man who brought down Bertie Ahern and Padraig Flynn.

He was of the generation in the 1950s who took the boat to England, although, unlike most others, he actually had prospects at home. He left the family farm in Lislarry, Co Sligo, despite the chance of a promising career in the civil service.