McGuinness 'doesn't know' man at centre of claim

Sinn Féin presidential candidate Martin McGuinness last night claimed to know ‘‘absolutely nothing’’ about the man he said told him Independent hopeful Seán Gallagher had visited his home to collect a €5,000 cheque for Fianna Fáil.

Speaking to reporters as he left the RTÉ studios after the Frontline debate, Mr McGuinness said: "When I spoke to the gentleman on the telephone before the programme, I didn't know anything about him whatsoever; absolutely nothing.

"I was only interested in the fact that I was told he wanted to speak to me because he was angry, because he was angry at Seán Gallagher. And he made it clear to me that he attended at Seán Gallagher's request a meeting in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk where there were present between 30 and 35 other people who were builders and
developers. And that Seán Gallagher was the one who invited him…and that later Seán Gallagher travelled to his house and he gave him a cheque for €5000.

"I don't know if the envelope was white or brown, but it's the brown envelope culture that destroyed the Irish people's economy over the course of many years. And what we saw during the course of the programme tonight was a very clear admission by Seán Gallagher that what I had said was true."

Mr McGuinness was asked if the man would appear at a press conference today, as had been speculated last night.

"'What this man does is a matter for this man…he made no indication to me and I didn't ask him. But I was absolutely convinced that I was talking to someone who was at the meeting in the Crowne Plaza and that I had a duty and a responsibility to the people of Ireland to put that question directly to Seán Gallagher. And Seán Gallagher during the course of the programme…admitted that what I said was correct."'

Independent candidate Seán Gallagher was the last of the seven presidential candidates to leave RTÉ last night. He spoke briefly to reporters. ''Since I became the frontrunner I well expected, as everybody else has, that there would be lots of these types of attacks. I've always been against negative campaigning; I remain so, and that's my view,'' Mr Gallagher said.

Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins said it was important that "'all of the questions that might be in the mind of the public between now and Thursday are fully and adequately answered".

Independent candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon described the debate as "'quite lively"' and said she hoped she had done enough to improve her low position in the opinion polls. Independent candidate David Norris left RTE quickly, saying only: "Thank you and goodnight"'.

Independent candidate Mary Davis said last night's debate was "one of the better debates" that had taken place. ''I thought was a bit of humour about it,'' she added. Ms Davis also told reporters she had ''no problem'' with the question she was asked about businessman Denis O'Brien's potential suitability as a member of the Council of State.

Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell was the first to leave RTÉ last night. Mr Mitchell did not comment to waiting reporters, except to remark that he had said all he had to say.