Mr Charles Haughey, no stranger to choppy legal waters, broke his silence with the national media yesterday to relate his role in a sea rescue off Kerry.
The former Taoiseach went on to talk about his health and the announcement by broadcaster Gay Byrne, his "friend for over 30 years", that he is to retire.
The interview, with Joe Duffy on the RTE Radio programme, Liveline, was his second in recent times. Last month, he was interviewed by Sinead Spain on Radio Kerry's popular morning programme, Kerry Today, about the station's eighth anniversary. In both interviews, there was no mention of the Moriarty tribunal.
Mr Haughey was on his island, Inishvickillane, off the Kerry coast. On Wednesday he picked up the radio alarm call from a pleasure boat, Donegal, with four people on board, which had developed engine trouble.
The vessel was in danger of being swept on to Inch Strand when those aboard radioed Valentia lifeboat for help, but the distress call could not be received. But Mr Haughey heard it on his VHF radio, relayed it to Valentia, and remained as the link between the vessel and those involved in the rescue until the half-decker and its crew were towed safely ashore to Dingle.
The Valentia lifeboat secretary, Mr Paddy Gallagher, described the former Taoiseach's involvement in the rescue as "a great help".
Speaking to Joe Duffy, Mr Haughey played down his role, recalling how he had relayed the call for help and other material to Valentia and was "just relaying messages." He was delighted to be able to help: "I know what it is like to be in trouble at sea."
Mr Haughey, his son Conor and three family friends, were rescued off Baltimore, Co Cork, in September 1985, after their 50foot boat struck the Mizen rocks and sank within minutes. Asked if Wednesday's incident reminded him of it, he said: "Not really, no. I suppose it might have been at the back of my conscience. The thing was so fascinating, just following it step-by-step and trying to make sure that everybody was fully aware of what was happening."
When told that the French skipper of the boat would be sending him a bottle of champagne in thanks, Mr Haughey said: "That would be very welcome, that would be very French."
Mr Haughey said by and large the sea was a great source of pleasure and relaxation, but it could never be taken for granted. And reflecting what might well have been his philosophy during his tumultuous political career, he added: "You must always be alert and aware and anticipating the next step."
Mr Haughey said he was "very well", adding a phrase that would be frequently heard in west Kerry, "pulling the divil by the tail."
Three fishermen escaped yesterday when their trawler sank in Rosscarbery Bay in west Cork. The Baltimore, Co Cork-registered Carol Ann sent a distress call at 2.40 p.m. when it began to take on water. Another trawler, the Huntress Moon, took the three men on before the Carol Ann went down. No one was injured.
