The leader of the Seanad, Mary O'Rourke, yesterday clarified a remark she had made earlier in the House about the murder of the Latvian woman who was allegedly killed by a contract killer in Swords, Co Dublin, earlier in the week.
Her first statement on the issue was made during the order of business in the Seanad yesterday morning. Responding to comments on violence against women made by Senator Sheila Terry of Fine Gael, Ms O'Rourke said: "It is difficult to read the article in the Irish Independent today which states that the husband of the murdered Latvian woman is a suspect. He has a cast-iron alibi but was obviously able to direct operations."
Shortly before lunch Senator O'Rourke came back into the chamber and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Rory Kiely, announced that the leader wished to make an announcement to the House.
"I thank the cathaoirleach for his guidance. When I was responding to the order of business this morning, I may have inadvertently given the impression that the murder of the young Latvian woman, Baiba Saulite, was guided by a particular person. I cannot do that, nor should I do it. I have great faith in the Garda and our justice system and I am sure that whoever carried out that dreadful crime will be brought to justice," she said.
Senator James Bannon of Fine Gael said: "I welcome the leader's clarification on that issue."
In the past politicians have got into hot water for making comments on high-profile cases before they had been adjudicated on by the courts.
In May, 2000, the then tánaiste, Mary Harney, commented on the fact that the former taoiseach, Charles Haughey, had received over €10.5 million from business people over the years.
Asked in an interview by the Irish Independent if she thought the former Fianna Fáil leader should go to jail, Ms Harney said: "I do, yes. He should be convicted." Later, when Mr Haughey came to trial in the Circuit Criminal Court, on charges of obstructing the McCracken tribunal, his legal team argued that he couldn't get a fair trial because of Ms Harney's remarks.
Judge Kevin Haugh found that there was "a real and substantial risk" that Mr Haughey would not receive a fair trial and he postponed it indefinitely.
Back in 1982 Mr Haughey himself committed a similar faux pas when Malcolm Macarthur was arrested in the attorney general's apartment. During a press conference the then taoiseach congratulated the gardaí for having apprehended the murderer. The then government press secretary, Frank Dunlop, subsequently asked the media present not to report the taoiseach's remark as it could be taken to prejudice any future trial.
