Lowry accuses media of distorting Cab position

MICHAEL LOWRY accused the media of misrepresenting the position concerning the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) and himself.

The position, as confirmed by the Garda Commissioner’s office, was that when a tribunal report was given to the Oireachtas, it was submitted to the relevant authorities, including the Garda, for relevant comments and to pursue matters if they were there to be pursued.

“I have been bombarded by news media, particularly radio and television, suggesting the Cab is already investigating matters,” Mr Lowry said.

“I would say to the media: you cannot be presenting hypothetical scenarios as the truth. Sensationalism of the highest order is what it is.”

He said there would be options available to him after the Moriarty report was considered by the DPP and the Garda.

“There are options available to me in my own jurisdiction . . . the High Court and the Supreme Court and the Court of Human Rights,” he added.

Mr Lowry said he had no intention of resigning his position “as a democratically elected representative of this House”.

The Independent TD said he also wanted to reject the “sneering and snide references to gombeen politics and parish pump politics that seem to delight certain sections of the media”.

Contrary to what might be suggested in the media, his constituents were every bit as intelligent and politically sophisticated as their counterparts anywhere else in the country.

Mr Lowry said the tribunal had not done the State some service.

“I believe that in the fullness of time, their contribution will be exposed for what it is: a scandal of truly epic proportions,” he said.