The woman who was knocked down by Fianna Fáil TD, Mr G.V. Wright, in a drink-driving incident in north Dublin a week ago claimed last night that she has not been contacted by the deputy since the accident, writes Conor Lally
Mrs Anne Butler, a nurse from North Strand, Dublin, said she was detained in hospital until Wednesday of this week. Her leg was broken in four places, and she still fears she may lose it, she told The Irish Times at her home last night.
Mr Wright was arrested last Thursday by gardaí after the accident on the North Strand. In a statement yesterday, Mr Wright said: "When returning home from Dáil Éireann on Thursday, 18th September, I was involved in a traffic accident which led to injury to a pedestrian. Subsequently tests confirmed I exceeded the breath alcohol level. I wish to unreservedly apologise to the person whom I injured and her family for this serious lapse of personal responsibility on my part and wish her a complete and expeditious recovery."
The Garda Press Office said that Mr Wright would be prosecuted by summons in the normal way "sometime in the next six months as is usual".
Last night, Fianna Fáil sources said Mr Wright told colleagues yesterday he would not invoke constitutional privileges to escape a drink-driving charge.
Mrs Butler said last night that she had not been contacted by Mr Wright since the accident.
A spokesperson for the the Taoiseach, who is in New York, said Mr Ahern's primary concern was with the injured woman. He understood Mr Wright had issued a statement and that he was co-operating fully with the Garda.
Mr Wright was not available for comment when The Irish Times called to his home last night.