"I'M very confident that when the details are presented, everyone will be satisfied." These were the words of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Lowry, outside Drombane church, north Tipperary, last night when he indicated that he had no intention of resigning.
"What else would they say? They've been saying it for the last two years," the Minister said after he emerged from the small church when asked to comment on calls for him to step down. "This issue has nothing to do with my responsibility as a minister."
The issues pre-dated his appointment as a minister and went back "a number of years", said Mr Lowry. "I've resigned my directorship of the company."
It was not possible for him to state the position categorically until his financial advisers to the company had given him details. More time was needed, perhaps a couple of days, he said. "I'm not sure what time will be required."
Asked if he was surprised at the report in yesterday's Irish Independent the Minister said he was not. "Sam Smyth writing about Michael Lowry is nothing new."
He was courteous but made it clear he had nothing further to say.
He had arrived in Drombane at 8.15 pm. - a distinctive white coat in the dark and drizzle. For two hours, people had come to the Padre Pio nursing home in Holycross to pay respects to Mrs Mary Ryan (94), nee Lowry. Small groups hunched shoulders and muttered outside.
Outside the church some miles away, a local man joked that the press would never find the small village, about eight miles west of Thurles. Why, he had given one reporter false directions to lead him astray.
Photographers hung back discreetly. There were no camera flashes as the Minister moved towards the hearse. He was the tallest of the six men who carried his aunt's coffin.
"Let not your heart be troubled," Father Sean Kennedy said as he opened the short service, assisted by Father John Ryan PP, a close friend of the family. The Minister sat in the front pew with four or five brothers, his sister, and many cousins. About 200 people sat behind.
Some of the cousins with Fianna Fail links were due to attend a party function in Drombane Community Hall later that night, to be addressed by Mr Brian Cowen TD. "But they re very loyal. They vote for Michael and he's very popular," one man commented.
The former Fianna Fail minister, Mr Michael O'Kennedy - an invited guest at the function - was one of the last to shake Mr Lowry's hand.
Watching at the church, a retired Drombane teacher, Mr William Corbett, said the newspaper claims had come as a "complete surprise". The Lowry family was held in very high esteem, particularly for its involvement in GAA local community services.
"The general belief is that nothing untoward will be found to level against the Minister," Mr Corbett said. "Knowing the family as I have done for two generations, it wouldn't be true to form."
