Fianna Fáil TD, Mr G.V. Wright, has told Fianna Fáil colleagues he will not invoke constitutional privileges to escape a drink-driving charge, following his arrest in Dublin last week after his car struck a 50-year old woman. Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent, reports.
The arrest of the Dublin North TD is proving a political embarrassment for Fianna Fáil and the party's difficulties will be increased by the victim's decision to be publicly identified last night.
Senior Fianna Fáil sources said they had been told by Mr Wright yesterday that he would not seek to benefit from the constitutional protection offered to members of the Dáil and Seanad travelling to and from the Oireachtas.
Mr Wright was arrested last Thursday evening by gardaí from Fitzgibbon Street station after his car struck the female pedestrian. He was on his way home from Leinster House at the time.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Wright said: "When returning home from Dáil Éireann on Thursday, 18th September, I was involved in a traffic accident which led to injury to a pedestrian."
He said that, subsequently, tests confirmed he had exceeded the alcohol level. "I wish to unreservedly apologise to the person whom I injured and her family for this serious lapse of personal responsibility on my part and wish her a complete and expeditious recovery."
The Garda Press Office said Mr Wright would be prosecuted by summons in the normal way "sometime in the next six months as is usual".
In New York, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who yesterday addressed the United Nations General Assembly, said he had seen a newspaper report of Mr Wright's address and the subsequent statement from Mr Wright.
"His primary concern its with the injured lady and he wishes her a speedy recovery. The Taoiseach understands that the deputy has issued a statement, that he is co-operating fully with the Garda Síochána.
"This is no less than what the Taoiseach would expect. Having said that, it is now a matter for the relevant authorities and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"It would be inappropriate for the Taoiseach to make any comment which may influence any future decision in relation to this case," said the spokesperson for the Taoiseach.
Questioned about the incident, a spokesperson for the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan said: "The law applies to everybody, whoever they are, and it must take its course."
Reflecting the reluctance of most politicians yesterday of all hues to comment on Mr Wright's difficulties, the spokesperson went on: "The Minister does not want to comment on any individual's case."
Both Fine Gael and the Labour Party were equally unwilling to criticise Mr Wright.
Mr Seamus Kirk, the chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, said "We cannot and should not comment on an individual case for fear of being seen to interfere in any possible judicial process.
"However, on the general issue of driving while intoxicated, Fianna Fáil in Government has reduced the blood alcohol limit allowed by law and increased the penalties for those convicted of drunk-driving offences, Mr Kirk said.
Fianna Fáil, he said, "believes that everyone has a duty to observe the law in that regard and not endanger themselves or others by driving while over the allowable blood/alcohol limit".
A close friend of the Haughey family, Mr Wright was a Taoiseach's nominee to the 1982-1983 Seanad. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1987.