The executive director of the Centre for Public Inquiry (CPI), Frank Connolly, has accused Minister of Justice Michael McDowell of trying to destroy his reputation.
Mr Connolly issued a statement this morning, dismissing a claim by Mr McDowell in a written Dáil reply yesterday, that he was part of an IRA plot to train Colombian rebels in the use of explosives.
Mr McDowell reply to a question by Independent TD Finian McGrath said: "Mr Connolly has many major questions to deal with in respect of his travel to Colombia under an assumed identity with a known subversive ...
"I am informed by An Garda Síochána that, following the arrest, in August 2001, of James Monaghan, Martin McAuley and Niall Connolly — who became known as the Colombia Three — the Colombian authorities had established that on 10 April, 2001 three people in possession of false Irish passports had earlier entered the Farc controlled region in Colombia."
The three were Frank Connolly, Niall Connolly and an IRA member, Padraig Wilson, Mr McDowell said.
"Mr Connolly has proved very reticent in answering any detailed questions about the subject of his presence in Colombia. I have to say too that I believe many people will find it surprising, given the public attention that this matter has received, that no adequate and sustained attempt appears to have been made by the Board of the Centre for Public Inquiry to address the genuine issues of public concern which arise."
Mr Connolly countered with a statement this morning and later told RTE radio that he had been interviewed by gardaí about the alleged trip to Colombia and it was his understanding that a file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In tense exchange during today's News at One, Mr Connolly said he would address any issues arising from the garda investigation in the event of a prosecution. However, he said he had no knowledge of an Irish passport which Mr McDowell alleged had been issued in the name of John Francis Johnston purportedly baring Mr Connolly's photograph.
Frank Connolly
"The Minister has purported to usurp the functions of an Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions and seeks to destroy my reputation by publicly making charges of a criminal nature against me.
"The Minister has sought to interfere with, if not jeopardise my employment as executive director of the Centre for Public Inquiry. By disclosing confidential information from Garda files to a member of the board of Atlantic Philanthropies, which funds the CPI, which is clearly insufficient to support a prosecution against me, he has intended to damage my reputation and my career as an investigative journalist," Mr Connolly said.
Mr McDowell told the Dáil he had been informed by gardaí that prior to the arrest of the Colombia Three in August 2001, authorities had established that three Irish people also entered Farc-controlled territory on false passports, one of whom was Frank Connolly.
Mr Connolly's statement today said false allegations that he had travelled to Colombia using false documents had been appearing in titles owned by Independent News and Media since 2002.
He said Mr McDowell was now using Dáil privilege to participate in these attacks and in so doing had "done incalculable damage to the integrity of his own office". "He has joined what has become a veritable witch hunt against me."
"The campaign of vilification descended to a more vicious level since my appointment as Executive Director of the Centre for Public Inquiry. The Centre for Public Inquiry has been targeted by certain elements in Irish Society who are hostile to a body established to carry out independent scrutiny."
He said the CPI had produced two "well received reports" on the safety implications of the Corrib gas line in Co Mayo and the controversial building of a hotel opposite Trim Castle in Co Meath.
Questions have been raised over the terms under which the Shell-led consortium got a licence for the pipe and five locals were jailed earlier this year for protesting against a line which they believe poses a serious safety risk.
Newspaper reports questioning the validity of the Corrib report emerged shortly after it was published last month and Mr Connolly believes the attacks on him are "a considered and timed response to the publication of the report on the Corrib gas controversy from those seeking to protect vested interests".
The Minister for Justice has already expressed concern about Mr Connolly's role in the CPI to American billionaire philanthropist, Chuck Feeney, the Irish Independent reported on October 26th. Mr Feeney finances the CPI which is chaired by former High Court judge Justice Fergus Flood.
On October 26th and 27th IN&M titles reported that months before the arrest of the Colombia Three, Mr Connolly had travelled to the South American country using forged documents. The claims were attributed to Garda sources.
Mr Connolly's brother, Niall, along with James Monaghan and Martin McCauley were found guilty by a Bogota court of entering Colombia using false documentation and training Farc rebels.
"While it is difficult for me as one citizen of a State to defend myself when my character is attacked by a Minister of Government and a powerful newspaper group I will always defend my integrity," Mr Connolly said in his statement.