The man who placed a half-page advertisement in yesterday's Irish Times calling for a No vote in the Nice referendum said last night he was not a member of any of the anti-treaty organisations.
Dr George Hewson, a retired consultant doctor from Galway, said he used his own funds to place the ad in the newspaper because he wanted "the Irish people to have the truth".
"I am not part of any group or organisation. I am an Irish citizen exercising my rights," he told The Irish Times.
Dr Hewson, the former head of ophthalmology in the medical department in NUI Galway, said he has been canvassing for a No vote in the referendum in the Galway and Mayo areas on his own during the last few weeks. He said he has also paid to have leaflets printed.
"I have nothing whatsoever to do with the No to Nice Campaign or any anti-Nice group. I have studied Europe and this issue for years and I know more about it than most people. I don't need those organisations."
Yesterday the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruairí Quinn, criticised the publication by The Irish Times - on page seven of yesterday's newspaper - of the anonymous advertisement, which he said contained unfounded and untruthful claims about the Nice Treaty.
He said both the newspaper and those who submitted the advertisement appear to have broken the law. The Irish Times took legal advice before publishing the advertisement.
Mr Quinn claimed Section 140 (1) of the Electoral Act 1992 was breached.
This section of the act says it is an offence to publish a notice, bill, poster or similar document seeking a particular result in a referendum without providing particulars of the printer and publisher of the notice.
"I am astonished that The Irish Times should apparently be prepared to accept such an advertisement without requiring those submitting it to say who they are.
"It is incumbent on The Irish Times to say who are the sponsors of this advertisement. The people are entitled to this information before they go to the polling booths on Saturday."
Mr Quinn said a reading of the advertisement and its use of the term Éire would suggest it had originated abroad.