The McBrearty affair took another bizarre twist last night when independent deputy, Mr Thomas Gildea, made a series of allegations against the former minister for justice, Mrs Nora Owen.
The Co Donegal deputy, making a rare speech in the Dβil, said Mrs Owen should be investigated for abusing her powers and putting unacceptable pressure on garda∅ in Donegal.
He described the Fine Gael TD as an "enthusiastic and willing handmaiden" of Cable Management Ireland and said she had received financial remuneration. Mrs Owen, who rushed from her office to the almost empty chamber to refute the accusations, insisted Mr Gildea withdraw "those disgraceful charges" and said there was no evidence whatsoever to support them.
Following two suspensions of the House, Mr Gildea, at the request of the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, withdrew the accusations, The uproar was watched from the Dβil gallery by members of the McBrearty family. As Mr Gildea made his allegations, Labour deputies Mr Pat Rabbitte and Mr Brendan Howlin, urged that he be called to order. The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, in the chamber for the debate on the Fine Gael private member's motion calling for a tribunal of inquiry into the McBrearty episode, remained silent. At the time the Labour deputy, Ms Liz McManus, was in the chair and declared the Dβil was suspended. After the debate was resumed Mr Patison said the charges were indeed serious and should be withdrawn.
Mr Gildea said he would withdraw the "offending statement" and then asked if he could continue with his speech, declaring: "I write my own speeches". Mr Gildea voted against the motion with the Government, which won by just one vote.