Combative Browne has a history of irking guests

Siptu general president Jack O'Connor walked off a live television discussion on the Tonight with Vincent Browne Show on TV3 on Thursday after alleging a lack of union recognition at the broadcaster.

Browne accused the Siptu boss of creating an opportunity for a stunt as Mr O’Connor removed his microphone and prepared to leave.

As Mr O’Connor walked off set, Browne called after him: “Okay, good luck Jack. Quite a stunt isn’t it. Well done Jack. It’s impressive isn’t it?”

The show was later brought to a close to the sound of Ray Charles’ ‘Hit the road Jack’.

Even though walkouts may not be the norm on political programmes on Irish television, last night was just the latest instance when Browne’s blunt questioning style has irked interviewees.

Last month Browne clashed with Jerry Beades of the New Land League on the show, telling him repeatedly to “shut up” after Mr Beades described solicitor Brian O’Donnell’s Gorse Hill home in Killiney as “bog standard”.

Browne later asked Mr Beades to “just leave if you’re not going to stop talking”.

Earlier, Browne, who was reporting from the O’Donnell family home, Gorse Hill, on Vico Road in Killiney, stepped across the property’s open gate.

He was almost immediately followed by other reporters.

When no one answered the door, Browne wandered around the extensive grounds, passing the swimming pool and tennis court.

In January 2012, Browne challenged German ECB technocrat Klaus Masuch after he praised the economic expertise of Dublin taxi drivers.

Browne argued Irish people did not understand why they had to repay unguaranteed bondholders billions of euro in debts to which they had no relation, to ensure the solvency of European banks.

“If the taxi driver had asked you that question,” asked Browne, “what would have been your response?”

Browne subsequently accused Mr Masuch of not answering the question.

The journalist famously caused serious discomfort at Fianna Fáil’s manifesto launch in 2007 when he questioned former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about the details of the £30,000 that his his former partner Celia Larkin received from businessman Michael Wall for the refurbishment of a house.

“The problem about this money that you got from Micheál Wall is that it isn’t credible that it was for the purpose of the renovation of a house,” Browne said.

“That money was not money for me. It was money for his affairs, in his house. I hope that answers the questions,” replied Mr Ahern.

“It was Mr Wall’s money administered by Celia Larkin.”

And so the altercation continued for 12 minutes with a number of ineffective attempts by an increasingly frustrated P J Mara to bring the conversation to a close.

Browne responded to Mr Mara's attempts to intervene by reminding him of how Charlie Haughey had sought to silence the media when his finances were being questioned.

“Might I remind PJ that 20 years ago at Fianna Fáil press conferences we attempted to press the then leader of Fianna Fáil on his financial affairs and we were obstructed in doing so,” said Browne.

“We were obstructed in doing so again in 1989 and I hope Fianna Fáil has changed and we won’t be obstructed in doing so now.”