Lowry condemns criticisms

Independent TD Michael Lowry has criticised his treatment in the media in recent weeks saying he was “greatly troubled” by what he described as “reckless and irresponsible” comment from “various political and media sources”.

In a lengthy statement released to the press this evening, Mr Lowry said he wished to “set the record straight” adding that the Moriarty tribunal into payments to politicians did not make any finding of corruption against him.

It emerged last week that Mr Lowry held talks with Minister for the Enivornment Phil Hogan justs days after the publication of the Moriarty tribunal last March. The tribunal found Mr Lowry received payments of £447,000 sterling from businessman Denis O’Brien, who went on to win a lucrative mobile phone licence.

“I was not declared corrupt by the Moriarty tribunal," Mr Lowry said in this evening's statement.

"The presumption of innocence no longer exists in Ireland. The most basic rights of fairness, of procedure, and due process have been trampled on mercilessly,” he said.

“Despite never having been charged with or convicted of any crime in Ireland, I have been roundly condemned as a convicted criminal by the media and by various political opportunists. They wish to strip me of all constitutional rights and basic dignity; both as a public representative and as a citizen,” the North Tipperary Independent TD said.

In this evening's statement, Mr Lowry pointed out that tribunals issue opinions that have “absolutely no weight in law”. He said the opinions expressed by the Moriarty tribunal was “a death sentence” on his reputation.

“I do not accept Mr. Moriarty’s opinions and I never will," the former Fine Gael minister said.

"I wanted to challenge Moriarty’s opinions but the reality is that I cannot challenge them and expect to succeed given that those opinions are meaningless in law.”

Mr Lowry said he received “no payment or benefit” from Mr Denis O’Brien in relation to the second mobile phone license and accused Mr Moriarty of creating “a false impression” in his report that he was the net beneficiary of some €900,000 arising from two property transactions and a loan agreement.

“This is not a truthful or accurate presentation of the facts,” Mr Lowry said.

Mr Lowry was also critical of recent comment in the media.

“I believe that recent comments made by various individuals which have sought to criticise the Gardaí for apparently not properly pursuing their inquiries are wholly disingenuous and completely improper.”

“Those crawling over one another to stake a claim to the high moral ground would be well advised to stop attempting to interfere with the independence of the DPP and the Gardaí and also stop seriously prejudicing my right to due process,” he said.

He criticised the Sunday Independent newspaper which he accused of “rabid and blatant agenda driven coverage”.

“Due to my circumstances I find myself being used as a pawn in an obvious campaign designed to somehow disrupt a potential take-over of Independent group. This is “payback” time of a different sort, but the modus operandi is the very same as applied before the general election in June of 1997.”