Fine Gael TD for Clare Pat Breen has been criticised by two of his party running mates in the next general election over asking a Dáil question about a sex offender's prison release date.
Mr Breen asked Minister for Justice Michael McDowell when Joseph Nugent (74), a bachelor farmer from Drumellihy, Cree, Co Clare, would be eligible for early release. Nugent is serving a six-year sentence for the abuse of two young boys and is due for release in February 2008. Mr McDowell has ruled out the possibility of an early release.
Councillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn said yesterday that a phone call to the prison section of the Department of Justice or to the governor of Portlaoise prison would have established the facts in relation to the release. Asked was Mr Breen wrong to table the question, Ms Taylor-Quinn said: "He didn't act very prudently."
Another Fine Gael candidate in Clare, councillor Joe Carey, said that it was "inappropriate" of Mr Breen to table such a question. Mr Carey was added to the Fine Gael ticket along with Ms Taylor-Quinn after both Mr Breen and councillor Tony Mulcahy received the endorsement of a party convention.
However Mr Mulcahy offered support to Mr Breen. He said: "On the basis that Deputy Breen was asked by relatives to find out information on the release date for the prisoner, I think it is fair enough that he asked the question on that basis."
In a statement last night, Mr Breen said: "I am saddened that some of my party colleagues should attempt to make a political football out of the controversy after I got messages of support from my party leader, senior colleagues and Opposition Oireachtas members."
