Why did Seanad Cathaoirleach prevent discussion of Willie O'Dea's High Court evidence?

national | crime and justice | news report

Wednesday February 03, 2010 12:12

by Tom

Seanad Cathaoirleach stops Senator from raising Willie O'Dea High Court issue

Senator Eugene Regan tries to raise issue of Willie O'Dea's false evidence to High Court but Seanad Cathaoirleach blocks him.

Senator Eugene Regan: I wish to raise an issue of perjury. The Statutory Declarations Act 1938 makes it an offence to lie on oath. In addition, the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act 1923 makes it an offence to malign or defame a candidate in an election. Perjury goes to the heart of the criminal justice system, as indicated by a judge in Limerick last year when a man was sentenced to one year in prison after he had withdrawn his evidence in a criminal trial. The judge said perjury and giving false evidence went to the core of the criminal justice system and the rule of law. In another case of perjury last year the judge said it was an attack on the system of justice.

I wish to raise an issue of a Minister lying on oath. We have become used to Ministers lying, but lying on oath is a new low. The matter concerns the Minister for Defence, Deputy O’Dea, who in a High Court case-----

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is making a very serious charge.

Senator Eugene Regan: The case has concluded. On his own admission and in an apology to the court last December he admitted-----

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator want a debate on the matter? We are taking questions to the Leader on the Order of Business.

Senator Eugene Regan: I have a very specific question for the Leader.

An Cathaoirleach: I would like to hear it.

Senator Eugene Regan: I need to introduce the question and explain it.

An Cathaoirleach: There is no great need for a preamble to a question.

Senator Eugene Regan: The Minister categorically and emphatically denied that he had made an allegation about ownership of a brothel in Limerick by a candidate in the local elections. That is why Mr. Justice Cooke did not grant an injunction in the case - the court had been misled. When the journalist’s tape of the interview was produced, the Minister admitted he had made a false statement and apologised to the court. However, he only did so when he had been found out. I ask the Leader whether the Minister has been held to account by the leader of his party. I call on the Leader to make a statement on the matter because it is a new low and a very serious charge. In any other jurisdiction a Minister would be held to account.

An Cathaoirleach: I call Senator Corrigan.

Senator Eugene Regan: There is an issue-----

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator’s time is up and I ask him to resume his seat.

Senator Eugene Regan: -----of the Minister’s fitness for office in such circumstances

There is also a brief report of it in Todays Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0203/1....html

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Why did Seanad Cathaoirleach prevent discussion of Willie O'Dea's High Court evidence?