Taoiseach’s credibility on the line

NOBODY will shed a tear for Ray Burke, the disgraced ex-minister for Justice and Foreign Affairs once described as “honourable” by the Taoiseach.

Mr Ahern claimed his old friend had been "hounded" out of politics when Fianna Fáil found nothing after checking up every tree in north County Dublin. In contrast, CAB went back 20 years and found enough to levy a tax demand of over 2 million on Mr Burke.

The latest twist in the Burke saga, could not come at a worse time for Mr Ahern, now facing mounting criticism from Fianna Fáil ministers, deputies and grassroots party members.