ROI JUNE 16, 2019 €3.00
FREE INSIDE Dr Michael Mosley’s NEW FAST 800 SUMMER RECIPES INSIDE MAGAZINEMAGAZINE 19 by creator of the 5:2 Diet HOSPICE’S HOME SOLD TO FRIEND OF CHARITY BOSS Secret buyer paid Children ‘in fraction of value Garda who house when of Spanish house their mother By Michael O’Farrell faced sack INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR was killed’ THE secret buyer of a Spanish property, sold by Our Lady’s Hospice for a frac- By Anne Sheridan tion of its value, is a ‘family friend’ of for giving the charity’s sacked financial director. The Irish Mail on Sunday can today reveal THE three children of tragic that Mayo native Michael ‘Mitch’ Egan is Valerie French Kilroy were at the person who incorporated a secret New home when their mother died York company used to buy the hospice’s on Friday. Spanish asset – at a loss of €300,000 to the birth outside A native of Midleton, Co. Cork, publicly-funded Harold’s Cross charity. the deceased was found at an Mr Egan is from Bunaneraghtish, a tiny outhouse at the side of the townland in the Mayo parish of Ardagh, property in Kilbree, between though he has also lived in New York. Westport and Castlebar. It is He is a friend of the family of Denis of wedlock understood her five-year-old Maguire, the sacked hospice finan- boy and toddler twins were in cial director who signed off on the PAGE 4 Turn to Page 4 Turn to Page 5 JUNE 16 • 2019 The Irish Mail on Sunday 5 House sale subject of a fraud squad probe internal disciplinary procedure. He has since been arrested and questioned by gardaí investigat- ing the sale. The hospice receives around €25m from the HSE every year, as well as millions of euro more from public fundraising, donations and bequests. The sale of the Spanish property became the focus of a HSE audit after a whistleblower expressed concerns about financial affairs at the hospice a number of years ago. REPORT: How MoS revealed house was sold for fraction of value That audit found that the Aloha Lake Village home had never been From Page One records, the house at the heart of placed on the open market by the the case – No.14 Aloha Lake Village hospice, resulting in ‘a perceived controversial loss-making sale. The – was purchased by Irish woman unfair advantage or closed oppor- Spanish sale has been the subject Agnes Phelan for €364,000 in 2004. tunity to the buyer’. of a Garda fraud squad investiga- Mrs Phelan left the home to the According to the audit, there was tion for years, though no charges hospice when she died in October ‘no independent valuation sought at have been brought. 2008 and it should have resulted in any time’ for the Spanish property Contacted repeatedly by the MoS a significant windfall to the publicly and there was ‘no evidence of busi- in recent weeks, Mr Egan and his funded charity when sold. ness planning for the expenditure’ family have refused to comment. In a gated community, close to incurred. Mr Maguire has refused to answer Marbella, in the hills above the questions about any relationship he luxury Puerto Banus marina, Alo- may have with Mr Egan. ha Lake Village boasts three com- But the MoS can today reveal that munal swimming pools and is sur- COUPLE: ‘He has since been Mr Egan knows Denis Maguire and rounded by several golf courses. Deirdre his brother John, according to Mr But instead of realising a profit and Denis arrested and questioned’ Egan’s own brother. from the property, the hospice took Maguire five-and a-half years to sell it – and ended up selling it for so little that The audit concluded: ‘The proper- the charity lost €32,203. dy’s Hospice had already paid out As Head of Finance at the Dublin- ty was neither sold at market value Property was left to the The loss was incurred because, €69,703 in management fees and based hospice, Denis Maguire was nor was it made available on the in the half decade it took to sell other bills, often without adequate responsible for overseeing the sale. open market and therefore lacks charity by Irish woman the home for just €37,500, Our La- invoices to back up the payments. In the half decade that the hospice transparency and may be per- retained the home, Mr Maguire ceived as failing the arms-length Michael ‘Mitch’ Egan is also part travelled to Spain on expenses six test and significantly reducing of a network of close Mayo con- times, incurring bills of €3,620. funds available to OLH.’ temporaries that link back to the His wife, Deirdre, accompanied As a result, the hospice has now Yonkers address used to register him on five of these trips but the implemented a conflict-of-inter- the secret New York company, Sun couple paid for her flights them- est register for all executives Orange Properties. selves. The majority of these ex- and staff. A spokeswoman for the Both he and Mr Maguire are now penses cheques were signed off by hospice said this week: ‘As this being sued by the hospice, and Mr Maguire himself and the then matter has already been in the though no date has been set for head of HR, Audrey Houlihan, who public domain and is subject to a hearing, the hospice has regis- has now become CEO. As Head of Garda investigation, we are un- tered lis pendens – literally notice Finance, Mr Maguire was made able to comment any further at of a pending legal action – against company secretary of the hospice’s this time.’ Mr Maguire and Mr Egan. The corporate entity, Our Lady’s Hos- In previous statements the hos- move will hamper both men from pice & Care Services Ltd in 2005. pice has apologised for its failure disposing of property since the He was dismissed for ‘serious to have adequate financial controls lis pendens would appear during misconduct’ and ‘serious negli- in place and said these inadequa- any pre-sale conveyancing checks. gence’ in September 2016 after an cies have now been addressed. According to Spanish property COMFORT: One of the swimming pools at the Aloha complex independent investigation and an [email protected] MAIL ON SUNDAY INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR – HOT ON THE TRAIL OF ‘MITCH’ EGAN MAKING the connection ‘Mitch Egan. Do you know the guy home in Bunaneraghtish, They’d be into probably ‘From Glencullen up in Wicklow.’ between Denis Maguire, his I’m talking about?’ Knockanillaun, Co Mayo. The thoroughbreds.’ ‘Yeah, that’s right.’ brother John and Mitch/Michael ‘Yeah, yeah,’ Aidan responds, hospice has registered a pending ‘You know the Maguires I’m ‘And Mitch is your brother, right?’ Egan required a number of nodding. legal action against Michael Egan talking about – right?’ ‘That’s right, yeah.’ conversations over recent weeks. ‘Mitch from Bunaneraghtish, in (aka Mitch) at this address. I talk to ‘I heard of them,’ he responds. ‘I I explain our story to Bernard, Here are three, from this week, Co. Mayo,’ I clarify. ‘You know the his brother Padraic. heard him talking about them. I who agrees to contact Mitch. that confirm the connection. guy I’m taking about?’ don’t know them. I’m here all me ‘Yeah,’ he confirms again. ‘I don’t know nothing,’ he says life. I was never up in Dublin.’ Mitch Egan has not responded to WEDNESDAY JUNE 12 – 4.15PM. repeatedly before we even begin He agrees to contact Mitch. ‘I’ll repeated voice and text messages I tell Aidan the fact that Mitch Egan is to speak. Then he agrees to listen. tell him I was talking to you. If he from the MoS to his mobile. He also At the Rathgar home of Denis a family friend of his father and his ‘Say what you have to say and wants to ring you, that’s entirely ignored messages left with third Maguire’s brother, John, who is uncle Denis is important in the goodbye.’ up to himself.’ parties at his Dublin and Mayo Facebook friends with Mitch Egan. context of the below-value addresses and his regular pubs in Denis Maguire’s adult nephew, controversial sale of the hospice’s I tell him we’ll be publishing a story THURSDAY JUNE 13TH – 3.04PM. Ballina. Registered letters to his Aidan, answers the door, saying his Spanish property – and this will be in on Mitch’s involvement with Denis Mayo and Harold’s Cross addresses father is away. I tell him the Mail on Sunday this weekend. Maguire and the sale of a below- Bernard Egan – a brother of Mitch – were unanswered. I’m writing a story for Aidan says he doesn’t know much value hospice property in Spain. answers his mobile. Denis Maguire did not respond to this Sunday involving about his father’s or his uncle’s I ask about Mitch and his links to voice and text messages to his family friend Mitch business but agrees to immediately Denis Maguire, suggesting that ‘You don’t know Denis Maguire at mobile and direct emails this week. Egan – a name that contact his father about the matter. perhaps the Egans and the all Bernard – do you?’ I ask. Calls and emails to his lawyer also Aidan immediately Maguires know each other ‘Who?’ went unanswered. recognises. WEDNESDAY JUNE 12TH – through horses. ‘Denis Maguire.’ John Maguire did not respond to ‘Denis – I do yeah. I don’t know our query after we spoke with his CONNECTED: 9.50PM. ‘No, it’s not through horses,’ he him that well. My brother knows son at his home. Michael ‘Mitch’ Egan At the Egan family replies. ‘It’s sport horses I have. him. Denis – yeah.’ MICHAEL O’FARRELL ROI SV1 APRIL 14, 2019 €3.00 FREE INSIDE DR MICHAEL 8-PAGE PULLOUT MOSLEY’S DELANEY STARTS PAGE 43 QUITS FAI GIG 5:2 RECIPES (BUT NOT UEFA ROLE) FOR ONE PAGE 5 Cycling superstar reveals he faces arrest if he returns to Spain as he battles to repay creditors STEPHEN ROCHE: MY DEBTS Stacey Dooley IRISH cycling hero Stephen By OF €600KRoche has been accused Michael O’Farrell INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR EXCLUSIVE of acting fraudulently by and Gerard Couzens waltzed off creditors owed hundreds of INTERVIEW thousands of euro in Spain. In an emotional But in an exclusive interview family who have tried to help with the Irish Mail on Sunday, an with his financial problems. encounter in ‘I have been very upfront with with Strictly emotional Mr Roche acknowl- Budapest, cyclist edged the debts (some €600,000, the people I owe money to,’ he he believes), denies he had gone said. ‘When I hear I’ve run away opens up about on the run and pledges to find a or I’m trying to get away without paying, that’s not me. That’s not snake Kevin way to settle his liabilities. debt hell: I’m Mr Roche struggled to hold me. Never.’ However, Mr Roche not a bad man back tears, telling the MoS he PAGES 2-3 felt he had let down friends and Turn to Page 4 4 sv1 The Irish Mail on Sunday APRIL 14 • 2019
From Page One – who won the Tour de France in 1987 – confirmed that his cycling tourism business in I thought about Mallorca is in grave difficulty. At present, those wishing to make a booking on his website – www.stephenrochecycling. com – are redirected to another site called www.vipcycling. com. bankruptcy – According to Mr Roche him- self, his business now owes in the region of €600,000 to vari- ous creditors – much of this dating back to 2017. The first public indication that something was amiss came on March 1 when one creditor but no, admits – travel firm World Spry Serv- ices – petitioned the courts to open a criminal investigation Paid money cyclist Roche of those who remain unpaid. ‘Going back with my hands (bankruptcy) – but no. Because owed in March Further concerns raised in empty is not going to do any- the people who have helped me GENERAL FORECAST court include Mr Roche’s con- thing,’ he said. ‘If I can get are going to lose out.’ tinued absence from Mallorca something together and I go The company that is now into Mr Roche and his Spanish and whether or not he is delib- back and pay all my bills, I can servicing Mr Roche’s previous firm, Shamrock Events SL. erately seeking to evade his keep things going.’ cycling clients, VIP Cycling, is World Spry Services was creditors. owned by a friend of Roche’s – owed in excess of €30,000 for Under Spanish law, Mr German former professional organising the transfer of Roche’s creditors could be cyclist, Guido Eickelbeck. cyclists from around the world granted leave to pursue his ‘If I can pay all my Speaking to the MoS, Mr who had booked holidays in personal assets if the courts Eickelbeck said he was a good Mallorca via Mr Roche’s site. conclude that fraudulent or bills, I can keep going’ friend of Mr Roche and had REGIONAL FORECASTS Amid accusations of fraud reckless trading has taken considered a partnership and the concealment of assets, place. before the extent of his compa- Mr Roche managed to settle Last night the lawyer acting ‘The hardest part is I have ny’s financial problems WEEK AHEAD that case which was dropped for the Ponent Mar Hotel – Jose always been straight up and emerged. when he paid the money owed Luis Lopez Morey – said: ‘I honest with people I owe money ‘What we did in the end of the in mid-March. anticipate the judge will to and the hardest part was to day is we just show the people However, on March 20 the appoint a bankruptcy adminis- accept their reaction,’ he went that we are separate to Stephen owners of two hotels in Mal- trator in a very short space of on. Roche but we can do the same lorca filed a separate case over time with all the consequences ‘I’ve been in contact with job as Stephen Roche,’ he said. unpaid debts of €392,446. that carries.’ them. I’ve sent them emails ‘We get the clients – the cli- This case – being taken by the However, Mr Roche told the about my plans, saying: “I can ents have another option and Ponent Mar Hotel and the MoS he is determined to clear pay you so much a month for the guests come to the right Hotel Son Caliu – is seeking to his debts. the next number of months.”’ hands.’ have Mr Roche’s firm declared He hopes to do so by selling a Mr Roche said he had consid- Mr Eickelbeck said Mr Roche bankrupt and put into enforced French investment property ered bankruptcy but ruled it was ‘trying very hard to come liquidation. and via new cycling projects out because morally he wanted back – but when you have The case highlights concerns he is currently negotiating in to put things right by repaying problems nothing works.’ about the potentially reckless Switzerland and Hungary. his debts. ‘I’ve thought of it ‘I have already crossed my manner in which Mr Roche’s fingers for him many times,’ firm continued trading in he said. recent times – to the detriment NOW READ THE FULL STORY Pages 6-8 [email protected]
‘I’m still loyal to Stacey, despite her affair with slippery snake Clifford’ From Page 3 quently confronted Kevin in a presenter of hard-hitting docu- her assignments in war zones. video call. ‘He went white. I mentaries when he was chan- Sam contrasts those memo- a sign, I needed something. It just stuck it on him: “You’re an nel-hopping one night and saw ries with a final, devastating was a blessing because I wasn’t absolute rat. How you con- her face on screen. message from Stacey, received going to be told [by Stacey] ducted yourself. Just a slip- Their mundane lives became a few hours after his confron- that evening. I had seen every- pery, slimy snake.” an antidote to the stresses of tation with Kevin on April 1. FOR TODAY’S FORECAST CALL thing I needed to see. ‘He didn’t say a word. He Stacey wrote: ‘I know you ‘All the questions, all the looked petrified. He looked so hate me at the moment but you 1550 507 157 (UPDATED 3 TIMES DAILY). months of thinking what was shocked.’ saw I didn’t start entertaining To subscribe for daily weather alerts, text any of the keywords to 53307. going on had been put to bed.’ It was a devastating end to a and texting him until I split up Leinster SMS Alerts Munster SMS Alerts Connacht SMS But it did not take long for happy relationship that began with you… I was not with you LEINM MUNM CONM Sam’s resentment towards with a chance meeting at a when we started it all. I did fall Alerts ULSM Uls ter SMS Alerts Kevin to boil over. Brighton boxing gym in 2014. for him but when we were Calls cost €0.95. Calls from mobiles cost more. Texts cost €0.60 per SMS received. ‘Adults make their own Sam spotted Stacey across done.’ This is a daily subscription service. To unsubscribe text STOP to 53307. choices. I just know that he is a the room, perched on an exer- A fortnight on, the wounds SP Phonovation, PO Box 6, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Helpline 0818217100. slippery snake – a proper rat,’ cise bike and wearing an are still raw yet remarkably he spits. ‘To have that relation- expensive leather jacket over Sam remains loyal to Stacey. ship where you are best bud- her gym kit to keep out the ‘I will always show her LOTTO NUMBERS HELPLINE: dies, but then you start going cold. respect because I loved her so 01 2561039 cold because you start fancy- Sam was quickly smitten with much and she was a massive BONUS If your Irish Mail on Sunday ing their girlfriend – I hold no Stacey – who told him just that part of my life,’ he says. 6 7 17 is missing any section it is respect for him whatsoever.’ she ‘worked on TV’ – and he SO IN LOVE: Sam and Stacey How we survived our Strictly not the fault of your Sam described how he subse- only discovered her role as a together in New York in 2015 kiss – see Magazine 35 newsagent. Please call the 24 27 44 Helpline between 8am and 8pm or There was no winner of last night’s email us at helpline@ €2 million Lotto jackpot mailonsunday.ie CORRECTIONS CLARIFICATIONS LOTTO PLUS DRAW GOT A STORY? & This publication supports the work of the Press Council THE Irish Mail on Sunday strives for complete accuracy in every article 7 10 20 28 36 42 27 Please call our Newsdesk on but it is inevitable when working against deadlines that mistakes are of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and 01 256 0888 or email us sometimes made and misunderstandings arise. We have always been ready to our staff operate within the Code LOTTO PLUS2 DRAW at [email protected] publish corrections and we do our utmost to ensure this happens quickly and of Practice for journalists in Ireland. You can obtain prominently. If you feel that any of our coverage is incorrect or incomplete, a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at 25 26 29 31 34 35 17 For Promotions inquiries call please email: [email protected] Letters for publication should still www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 280 080, 01 256 0800 be sent to: [email protected] or email: [email protected]. 6 The Irish Mail on Sunday APRIL 14 • 2019 In an emotional interview, Stephen Roche opens up about his business failure and his determination to pay off €600k debts
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW By Michael O’Farrell INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR
IT’S been 32 years since Stephen Roche brought home cycling’s Triple Crown in 1987 – three epic victories in the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the World Road Race Championship. His Tour de It’s tough to France victory – the first and, so far, only one by an Irishman – is etched on the nation’s pysche. That feat made him one of Ireland’s most treasured sports heroes. When we meet – at the 5-star Kempinski Hotel in the centre of Budapest – he is dressed in a sharp tailored suit and open- necked Hugo Boss shirt. He is in a different arena now, facing a new challenge – one he appears determined to overcome – though his creditors have run out of patience. Hundreds of miles away in Spain his face up to cycling tourism business – which until recently generated millions each year – has imploded. Creditors – owed as much as €600,000 – have gone to court accusing Roche of fraud and of having gone on the run to avoid his obligations. He has been advised he may be arrested if he returns to Spain. Aged 59, he looks healthy, tanned and fit – every inch the celebrity superstar, turned millionaire businessman. But in the next hour he will well up twice, struggling to the shame... speak through overpowering emotion as he wipes tears from his piercing blue eyes. ‘I think when I look at it, a lot of the things I’m doing, I’m doing out of panic,’ he says. ‘The cycle tours business, we were doing it for the passion’
‘From the outside everything looks com- I’m not a fortable. Nice clean shirt. Everything looks clean – very like television… ‘But I am 60 this year… This domain now is totally new – even though I’ve been in business for years. This is hard. A bit hard to deal with. This legal thing has totally blown me away. I never imagined that it was going to be like this – so severe. I thought I had an open dialogue with every- body. It’s not as if I started business two years ago and took the money and ran away. I’m 25 years in business.’ bad man Roche began organising at the back where I France are ongoing but even if the quite regularly but I was sure that cycling holidays in Majorca could have a meeting sale proceeds Mr Roche says ‘it will the site [in France] was going to go. more than two decades ago every morning with be another three, four, five months That’s why I was very open with the via his Spanish firm Sham- cycling groups.’ before anything is paid out’. people I owed. I even sent them pho- rock Events SL. Since then The unit was trading Unable to secure his new unit in tographs and the deal for the sale of the firm has brought perhaps as a food outlet called Majorca, Roche then suffered the site. I sent them everything. I 20,000 guests to hotels during ‘Pie in the Sky’ – an another financial setback in France said, “Look, this is going to happen. the island’s off-season when irony he may not where he had invested €120,000 in a It’s mine. You see here – Stephen temperatures are better appreciate. But luxury car sales business. Roche – €600,000. It’s there so you suited to cycling. Roche – who was ‘I was getting 10% of turnover – will get paid.” Maybe I had my head ‘We were doing it for the pas- waiting on the sale of sometimes more – and I had my own in the sand because I was always sion,’ he says. ‘I won’t say we a property invest- car, my insurance and whatever car sure the site was going to get me were really making money but ment in France – I wanted – a [Porsche] 911 a Cay- through it.’ we lived comfortably off it.’ could not find the enne – you know. All I had to do was But then he was asked to leave his ‘In 2016-2017 we had a turno- funds to complete ensure that if the guy had a buyer base in the Ponent Mar Hotel – ver of €1.8m – which for six the purchase. that the car was back.’ meaning he could no longer take months’ work is not bad.’ ‘In the end the guy bookings. His cashflow was gone. He says perhaps 10% was got p***ed off with He had to return booking deposits. profit and that he always ‘rein- me and said he can’t ‘I had nothing to work with any- vested rather than taking hold it any longer ‘I am not hiding more.’ money out’. But in 2017 things unless I paid him. I There have been personal set- started to go wrong. And in GLORY: With Charles Haughey after couldn’t pay him. I was waiting for from anybody’ backs too. His 19-year-old son Flo- December 2018 he was asked to winning the 1987 Tour de France the sale of my site.’ rian, who battled leukaemia as a vacate the Ponent Mar Hotel where The site Roche was trying to sell child, relapsed in May 2018. he had maintained a base for years. this case before it hit the interna- overlooks the bay of St Tropez in the But in 2017 two Porsche Panam- Although Florian ‘is doing great Court records in Spain confirm tional headlines. But he can’t hold south of France. It’s a development eras, a Porsche Cayenne and a now’, last year his illness was ‘a that at the beginning this month the the tide back any more. He still site for 18 houses worth €6m of Porsche 911 were stolen. very serious mental shock’ to Roche. owners of the Ponent Mar and owes – at a minimum – €600,000, which Roche says he owns 10%. His ‘There was an insurance claim Then Roche’s daughter Christel, another hotel – the Hotel Son Caliu much of it dating back to 2017. stake is worth €600,000 – the approx- because the garage door wasn’t up who was managing his Spanish – petitioned the courts for the invol- As he tells it there are multiple imate amount of his debts. to standard so we went against the cycling business, then left the firm. untary bankruptcy of Roche’s firm. reasons for his current predica- The majority owner is a developer owner of the garage hoping to win ‘She got a bit p***ed off with the This case involves unpaid debts of ment. Firstly in 2017 he put a €50,000 in the South of France. While the our money back and we ended up situation and because she was close €392,446.94. deposit on a €300,000 unit in Palma. sale of the site has been agreed, losing the case. to her brother, she went to help A previous case taken by another This was to be his new base in there was a problem. ‘The buyer ‘We lasted until 2018 and in her mum look after Florian.’ creditor – World Spry Services – Majorca. ‘My idea was to have a had his mortgage agreed by the February 2018 we closed shop.’ ‘That was very hard,’ saw Roche accused of criminal cycling cafe. I could have my office, bank but the notary noticed an error Meanwhile, Mr Roche’s cycling admits Roche. fraud and the concealment of assets. a bike station, do merchandising… in the land registry.’ business was frequently unable to Asked about the Roche found the €30,000 to settle There would be a massive car park Negotiations with local officials in pay its debts in Spain. ‘It happened allegation that he APRIL 14 • 2019 The Irish Mail on Sunday 7 In an emotional interview, Stephen Roche opens up about his business failure and his determination to pay off €600k debts It’s tough to face up to the shame... Sportsman who made us all proud STEPHEN Roche was one of a number of elite Irish cyclists to FRESH START: burst onto the international Stephen Roche is scene in the Seventies and pursuing new Eighties, bringing the sport to business projects in massive prominence in an Budapest, where he economically depressed nation. spoke to the MoS The highlight of his career this week came in 1987 when he won the Triple Crown of cycling, becoming only the second ever cyclist to win the Tour de France, Giro and world title in the same year. As the only Irishman to ever win the Tour, he was joined
SEÁN DWYER on the winner’s podium by then- taoiseach Charles Haughey. Picture:
h a s a c t e d ‘Friends that I probably have let new partners baulk. Are the new from most people – because of fraudulently down…..friends and family.’ projects property related? ‘No, no, embarrassment. I have no credibil- or traded reck- Then he regains his composure. no,’ he backs away horrified. ‘It’s ity because I cannot say I’m doing lessly Roche ‘There are certain people who what I do best – it’s cycling.’ this… I cannot say, I can pay you… becomes ani- helped me – who did a lot to help me Meanwhile, his problems in Spain I cannot say anything… I can’t tell mated. ‘I cannot and once again I was promising to – where his lawyer has asked for them what I’m doing and these for the life of me pay them back at a certain time and €15,000 before he can act – appear people have heard it all before.’ imagine how I couldn’t do it.’ to be getting more serious. Have you thought about bank- they could say Family helped you as well – your As he points out, ‘If I had €15,000 I ruptcy? such stupidity. parents? would pay my suppliers.’ ‘I’ve thought of it – but no. Because They put me out ‘Yeah, yeah,’ he nods. ‘I kind of This lack of representation has the people who’ve helped me are of my office. hardly ever see them either – which left Roche largely in the dark about going to lose out. That’s why it hurts ‘I even offered also hurts. I’m so engrossed in try- the legal processes in train against now the way things have gone to work for them ing to get things going and in the him, though he says he is not hiding because I have been very upfront for nothing. They last couple of months I’ve been from anyone. ‘Anyone can find me. with the people I owe money to, and know I brought afraid to fly because of the situation I’m not hiding from anybody. My when I hear that I’ve run away or 700 to 1,000 clients – you know – so I have been driving email has been the same for 25 I’m trying to get away without a y e a r w h e n everywhere.’ years. I’ve been getting notifica- paying – that’s not me. Never. nobody was there. You’re literally afraid to fly tions – yes, which I haven’t read ‘I could go bankrupt and start So they know the because you think you’ll be because I don’t understand them – again but morally I couldn’t do that potential I have for arrested? they’re all in Spanish. When I sent Just out of respect for the people bringing in people.’ ‘Well, people said so many things. it to the lawyer last week, he said, who helped me.’ So how is he manag- It’s hard to get proper advice, not “Don’t open it.” But he won’t start For now it appears Roche is going ing now from day to knowing the whole amplitude of the case going because he needs to continue battling and he still day? ‘I have to keep the situation so it’s difficult.’ €15,000. So I’m in a sticky believes he can pay all his debts going,’ he says. This has meant repeated situation.’ back. Now – 40 minutes into 14-hour drives between Then there’s the ‘Life is full of obstacles and you’ve our meeting – it all Geneva and Budapest shame. That’s tough got to fight to get over them,’ he becomes too much and where he is working on to face up to. ‘I have says. ‘I’m not a bad person. It’s just tears well up. For a new projects that he distanced myself that things got out of hand and the minute or so he cannot hopes will offer a people coming after me are maybe speak as he fights to fresh start – and help more financial than emotional.’ regain control of his him repay his debts. CHARM Between the open neck of his emotions. ‘There are For now the projects A St Christopher’s designer shirt, a gold medal of St some friends who help are in a delicate stage devotional medal Christopher hangs. Roche never me as well,’ he begins and cannot be discussed is believed to keep takes it off and sometimes touches before struggling to publicly. Any negative travellers safe complete the sentence. press about Roche may see Turn to Page 8 8 The Irish Mail on Sunday APRIL 14 • 2019 Tánaiste seen as a threat to Leo leadership after strong handling of Brexit Varadkar allies urge top Europe job for a reluctant Coveney By John Drennan CASEY AND THE SOLDIERS OF SUPPORTERS of Leo Varadkar are planning to make Simon Coveney a surprise – and not very willing – entrant to the race to become Ire- DESTINY DECLARE WAR ON SF land’s next EU Commissioner. The coveted post pays a total of €336,446.65 a year before tax, as THE latest polling data track to secure a seat. It is The situation is equally well as a raft of pensions and suggests the tide is with his to lose. Voters want at grim in Munster for SF, expenses. Fianna Fáil and the least one Independent and it where Liadh Ní Riada is Up to recent weeks, Agriculture Independents in the won’t be Ming Flanagan.’ being targeted by Fianna Commissioner Phil Hogan, who is upcoming European In an indication of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. believed to have been ‘supportive’ elections. Fáil’s strength in rural A senior FF figure said: ‘Ní of Mr Varadkar’s leadership before Sinn Féin, however, are in Ireland, FF TD Anne Riada is going to find it and after the election, was the clear danger of losing all three of Rabbitte, rather than Luke much harder this time. She favourite to be reappointed. their MEP seats because of (Ming) Flanagan will battle was badly exposed in the Mr Hogan is believed to be enthu- the party’s decision to Carthy to win the last seat, Presidential election; she’s siastic about continuing his work in abstain from Westminster with the first two being the failed candidate who Europe and is characterised as throughout the Brexit crisis. secured by Mairead couldn’t break 10%.’ being an ‘influential’ figure. Polling data seen by the McGuinness and Brendan Like SF, Fine Gael is In the party, however, the pros- Irish Mail on Sunday Smith. concerned by the potential pect of a ‘surprise’ appointment of reveals this decision is A senior FF source noted: impact of a Clare Daly Mr Coveney is being increasingly hitting SF in its heartland – ‘These figures indicate the candidacy. One strategist canvassed. And the strongest advo- the border counties. Rising reality of the FF revival in warned: ‘If Daly runs she cates for such a move are from the star Matt Carthy, who is rural Ireland. We have gone has the potential to take Taoiseach’s camp. Mr Varadkar expected to run for Europe from no seat five years ago, votes on all fronts; #MeToo, defeated Mr Coveney in the Fine and the Dáil, is now to competing for two with a the Civic Alliance...’ struggling to keep his seat less than stellar team.’ SF are even more as an MEP in the Midlands- By contrast they said of concerned about North West constituency. SF: ‘They are now seen as Daly, with senior ‘Ireland must send our By contrast, the polls having run away from sources warning: ‘If indicate that former the Brexit battlefield.’ Daly does run, we best man to Europe’ presidential candidate Peter are in real danger of Casey is likely to secure the ALL SMILES: Luke ‘Ming’ a wipe-out. And if Gael leadership race in 2017. third of four seats available. Flanagan faces that happens, One influential factor in the sud- A source said: ‘Peter is not threat at the people will be den rise of Mr Coveney has been home and hosed, but he is on polls looking the strong performance of the For- closely at eign Affairs Minister throughout Mary Lou’s the Brexit tangle. leadership.’ A source, close to the Varadkar COMMENT Page 21 camp, noted: ‘Brexit is far from EUROPE BOUND?: Peter Casey is tipped for a seat being resolved. This is a decade- long issue. Ireland must send our best man, or rather individual, to ‘Simon may not know it yet, but belong to the past. There is a new tionship. Leo has been erratic and ‘It would be better to keep him Europe.’ Simon is the man. He would cer- broom coming through Europe. unsure. It has not rebounded to his busy somewhere else for a while.’ Mr Coveney is believed to be anx- tainly be a reluctant candidate, but The age of winking and nodding is credit. It has kind of spooked the One senior source close to the ious to remain in his current Minis- Simon should note he faces stark over.’ Leo camp. Varadkar camp noted: ‘Simon try with a pro-Coveney source choices too. Phil Hogan, they added, ‘is an ‘Of course, it helps that he is the would have to ask himself what saying: ‘Foreign Affairs is Simon’s ‘Nothing is certain. He might turn Enda Kenny legacy issue. It is time perfect man for the job – all that happens after Brexit. dream portfolio. Cork’s new Peter down the Commissioner’s job and to finish the clean-up’. high seriousness. You wouldn’t find ‘He won’t be the star anymore. He Barry and all that. find himself spending five years as Another source, however admit- Simon going on about Love Actu- will just get the foreign trips Leo ‘He is not a living saint, of course. a backbench TD. ted: ‘There is more than an element ally in Downing Street or writing doesn’t want, and up and down to He feels he has unfinished busi- ‘He is the perfect Leo choice. He of self interest in this. It has been notes to Kylie.’ the North once a fortnight. It’s not ness with the leadership, and represents the new Ireland. Phil is noted that Simon has seriously out- But they added: ‘Ultimately, this so attractive, is it?’ doesn’t want to be too far away a bit of a dinosaur. He did great performed Leo when it comes to is all about the court. The concern Minister Coveney did not respond from the Fine Gael house in case a work for us once, but that was a Brexit.’ is that, should things get rough, you to a request for comment. fire starts.’ long time ago. Simon, they said, ‘has been the don’t want to have Simon hanging [email protected] One minister warned though that: ‘He and his friend Juncker; they mature elder brother in the rela- around the place. Just in case.
From Page 7 elderly couple who were on their way back When it was lost during a horrific 1986 brings the medal to his lips. ‘It’s something from Lourdes. They were hoping for a crash in which a rider died, his teammates that I never take off and it’s something it almost unthinkingly as he speaks, his miracle cure for the wife’s cancer. searched all night at the crash site but that I have a lot of faith in.’ hand drawn repeatedly to it. Six months later – after Roche’s first big failed to find it. His then-wife Lydia Roche says he’s not afraid of the There’s a touching story behind the win in the Paris-Nice race made the papers replaced it with an identical one that he challenge ahead and for now he’s medal, one that dates back to his early – the elderly man appeared at Roche’s never takes off. Telling the story now determined not to go back with his hands days in the sport. Back then, he was an parents’ house alone, his wife having died. Roche’s eyes well up once more and he empty. ‘I kind of feel, if I can make it impoverished young Dubliner plying his He left his late wife’s medal of St better then I want to keep at it. I still trade as a rider in the French pro cycling Christopher for Roche, saying that believe I can make it better but I’m a little circuit. On one ferry journey between his speaking to him on the ferry had been her bit short on time.’ native south Dublin and his adopted home last moment of happiness. COMMENT Page 21 In the coming months he’ll need every in France, he fell into conversation with an Roche has worn the medal ever since. ounce of luck that medal can bring. OCTOBER 7 2018 Standby THE • IMOS D NewsI StandbyABE Mail on TES DIET REVOLUTION LOSE WEIGHT FAST BY THE 5:2 DIET GURU SEE MAGAZINE
ROI OCTOBER 7, 2018 €2.80 TINA TURNER Ike made me go to a brothel on our wedding night SEE PAGES ASTONISHING SOUL-BARING INTERVIEW 7 AND 35-39 MY REMORSE OVER HORROR CAR CRASH Yet presidential candidate Gavin Duffy continued to rack up a litany of serious driving offences EXCLUSIVE By Michael O’Farrell INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Gavin Duffy was in- volved in a horror road crash that maimed a young woman – yet he racked up a litany of driving offences in subsequent years. The PR guru’s 1985 settlement with a student motorcy- clist made national headlines. But this is the first time the serious accident has been linked directly to Mr Duffy, as he was sued over the accident under his birth name, Liam, in INCIDENT: Mr Duffy was sued under his birth name, Liam Turn to Page 4 v1 Gavin4 RACE FOR THE ÁRAS 2018Duffy’sThe Irish Mail on Sunday re OCTOBER 7 • 2018 al name is Liam From Page One the High Court. The case came WILLIAM PETER, BORN 1960 seven years after the accident which resulted in Mr Duffy’s pros- ecution for driving with no insur- ance or driving licence in an incident that left the female motor- cyclist in danger of losing her leg. He was also found guilty of a re- duced charge of careless driving resulting in lifelong injuries to the then 25-year-old university student he collided with. After the accident – on August 21, 1978 near Dunleer, Co. Louth, the young woman – whose identity we have chosen to withhold – underwent several operations and was left with severe scarring and a permanent disability. In 1978, aged 18, Mr Duffy – born William but known as Liam – was on the cusp of a broadcasting career that has since propelled him to be- come a millionaire and a presiden- tial candidate. He says he first started using Gavin as a broadcasting name in 1977 yet the only references to the new name the Irish Mail on Sunday could find in newspaper archives begin in the summer of 1979. Mr Duffy told the MoS yesterday he formalised the name sometime Serious crash in 1978 as Liam was the in the 1980s by putting it on his pass- port but insisted he used it from the start of his broadcasting career. His career took off under the name first in a series of motoring offences Gavin Duffy as he swiftly gradu- ated from pirate radio in Drogheda AUGUST 21, 1978 – An 18-year-old concluded in the High Court and to the national airwaves with RTÉ Liam Duffy seriously injures a 24-year- makes front-page news. Despite in the mid-1980s. During this time old university student when he crashes being a household name at this point he was being sued by the female into her motorbike. She narrowly no one associates the crash with escapes having her leg amputated and Gavin Duffy. suffers lifelong injuries. Though his birth name is Liam, Mr Duffy says he had DECEMBER 1993 – Now aged 33, ‘Formalised name adopted the radio name of Gavin the Gavin Duffy continues to drive previous year. dangerously. He is seen by a Garda change in the 1980s’ overtaking coming to the brow of a hill JANUARY 1979 – Liam Duffy is ‘with absolutely no vision’ in his black convicted of a ‘reduced charge’ of Porsche. He was doing 73mph in a student and when the case got to the reckless driving related to the crash. He 40mph zone. He is fined for High Court in 1985, he was a house- is also convicted of driving without dangerous driving and speeding. hold name in much of the country as insurance and having no driving licence. a Radio Leinster presenter. By the summer of 1979, advertisements OCTOBER 2012 – In an article celebrating He was also head of training at start to appear in the local press for discos he is documents at a Garda station when requested. the importance of his local paper, the Drogheda Carr Communications, on the verge running under the name Gavin Duffy. Independent, Mr Duffy describes how the of breaking into RTÉ and engaged OCTOBER 2, 1981 – Gavin Duffy appears in court publication has chronicled his entire life from his in a lobbying campaign to get the SEPTEMBER 1981 – By now Mr Duffy has in Drogheda after being ‘summoned on a series of early school days to the shame of being caught government to licence local radio formally changed his name to Gavin. But his motoring offences’. Representing himself he seeks driving without insurance. ‘I was in court for driving stations. driving habits don’t appear to have improved. an adjournment because his lawyer – his brother without insurance,’ he wrote. ‘I had taken my But few knew who Liam Duffy Three years after his first crash he is returned to Pádraig – is at another court. The adjournment is brother Eamonn’s car when he was away.’ was and the case proceeded under court for fresh driving offences and is disqualified granted and there appears to be no further A search under the name ‘Gavin Duffy’ of the that name. After Mr Duffy admit- from driving for six months and fined when he fails mention of the case again. Drogheda Independent will uncover the ted negligence the jury awarded to appear in court. He is also convicted of driving September 1981 case as listed above, but it will damages and compensation for loss without a driving licence and insurance and having JUNE 17, 1985 – The negligence and personal not reveal the more serous matter of the crash he of wages amounting to £221,127. no tax displayed – and failing to produce these injury case against Liam Duffy for the 1978 crash is was involved in as Liam Duffy in 1978. Taking inflation into account this would be worth about €550,000 in today’s money. The average house character like? Did I go and try would have never happened to any not the only time Mr Duffy has been Drogheda Court to answer a number price in 1985 was equivalent to and make contact with the injured 18-year-old but I handled it as well prosecuted for driving offences. of driving offence summons. about €46,600 according to the CSO. party? When it came to a civil case as one could in those circumstanc- In September 1981, when using At the same sitting he was also Mr Duffy yesterday portrayed the you know I didn’t offer a defence so es.’ the name Gavin, he was disquali- convicted of driving without a li- experience as a formative one, em- full compensation would be avail- Despite his comments, the 1978 in- fied from driving for six months cence and insurance, having no tax phasising his remorse over it when able. So I handled a situation I wish cident, although the most serious, is and fined after failing to appear in displayed and failing to produce asked what voters should think. these documents at a Garda station ‘I think when you look at the case, when requested. It is not known if and you’ll see it was reported in the the court was aware of Mr Duffy’s court, the remorse I felt over an ac- Meeting our change of name and prior convic- cident like that,’ Mr Duffy said on tion under a different name. He was the campaign trail in Co. Kildare. back in court again a month later ‘There are 18-year-olds all over reporter in for a series of motoring offences. the country who sometimes get in- By the 1990s, Mr Duffy’s busi- volved in accidents and it’s how you Monasterevin ness career was flourishing and he handle that and deal with that and I was en route to millionaire status was full of remorse to the motorcy- GAVIN Duffy spoke to the through his stake in LMFM – the ra- clist and, you know, I don’t think it’s Mail on Sunday at the dio station granted a licence in 1989 appropriate to answer a question: Junction 14 motorway when Ray Burke was communica- “Do you think people who have been services station near tions minister. But his dangerous involved in an accident should vote Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, driving habits continued – albeit in for you?” yesterday. Later, he more expensive cars. ‘This is not about votes this is canvassed in Punchestown In December 1993, Mr Duffy was about at 18 years of age… did I and at the Aviva. convicted and fined £500 for dan- handle it properly? What was my gerous driving in his black Porsche. v1 Gavin Duffy’s re alOCTOBER 7 • 2018 Thename Irish Mail on Sunday is Liam5
PARTNERS: Gavin Duffy and Orlaith Carmody on their 1993 wedding day The pig farmer’s son who became a DJ and millionaire HE MAY have been born on a By Michael O’Farrell Kildare pig farm but there’s no indication that Gavin Duffy ever INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR wanted for much as a child. For starters, Dorland Farm near own pirate, Community Radio Sallins was owned by his father Drogheda. By the early Eighties Edward who bought it at auction in he’d moved to Leinster Radio in 1953. A haulier from Castlerea, Dublin. A 1983 clampdown Edward sold the farm in 1971 and silenced the pirates in anticipation bought the Gem bar and restaurant of a licensed regime for which on Drogheda’s West Street when Duffy actively campaigned. Gavin, then called Liam, was 11. Duffy – now working for RTÉ The bar later became the and Carr Communications – was Weavers when it was taken over among the investors that won the by Duffy’s brother Eamon. licence in Louth and Meath and Today, Duffy’s campaign HQ is LMFM was launched in 1989 by across the street from the pub he then-minister Ray Burke. grew up in with Eamon and According to the Drogheda another brother Pádraig – a Independent at the time there was solicitor once censured and fined a ‘strong FF presence on the six- €10,000 by the Law Society for a man board’ of LMFM. The return series of failures to honour client on their estimated €150k each undertakings on property deals. investment was substantial when When Gavin was 15 his father the station sold for €10m in 2004. was in court for allegedly Duffy married RTÉ journalist punching and threatening to kill a Orlaith Carmody in the Canary 26-year-old waitress and throw her Islands on St Patrick’s Day 1993. body in the Boyne. He was fined She was on the RTÉ board from £60 reduced to £25 on appeal. 1999 to 2015 and together with POWER COUPLE: Such dramas aside the family Duffy ran Aerga Productions Ltd – Gavin Duffy and his business afforded Duffy a which won a number of RTÉ wife, Orlaith, on the privileged lifestyle that included a commissions during her tenure. hustings on Thursday Golden Palomino pony with which In 1998 they bought Kilsharvan – he hunted, pony-clubbed and their lavish Meath country estate, showjumped before selling it in which made headlines as the first 1976 at the age of 16. home to top the million pound He also confirmed to the MoS he in a Drogheda Independent article This week Mr Duffy stated: ‘If Having learned to drive, Duffy mark in the region. His Irish currently has three penalty points. he wrote in 2012 in which a sanitised you’re putting yourself forward as ran discos and entertainment Nationwide-funded property Asked about what his subsequent version of his offences refers to his president… everything about you shows in nearby towns and empire, once reported to be worth driving record says about his char- 1981 motoring conviction. and everything in your background counties. His radio career began in €100m, has been sold and just acter, Mr Duffy refused to see any As Mr Duffy never mentioned his has to be tested… I fear no question, 1980 with Local Radio Drogheda – Kilsharvan remains, together with connection. He has only once re- change of name, an archive search I welcome them all.’ a pirate that became Boyneside Duffy’s famed ambition which ferred publicly to his driving record does not show the 1978 incident. [email protected] Radio – before leaving to form his continues to expand abundantly. OCTOBER 14 • 2018 The Irish Mail on Sunday 13 Higgins mauled as gloves are off AND ALSO-RANS… AND WHO LANDED A SUCKER PUNCH?
CAR person you would want to be taking a 2am OUT OF CRASH: Joan Freeman call over another bail-out. Not even sure she HER DEPTH: Gavin Duffy STRATEGY: She was attempting to escape should be let on radio by herself. is struggling from the Gay Mitchell zone and move into BEST MOMENT: Ms Freeman joined the Joan contention for the silver medal position. But posse on expenses noting that coming from Freeman she failed in this objective miserably. a charitable background where ‘every penny performed Ms Freeman came across as a very nice is counted’ she believed the sainted Michael badly charity advocate who would be totally D should have been far more transparent. overwhelmed should the Presidency be WORST MOMENT: Explaining her involved in a crisis. convoluted fiscal relationship with Des Walsh PRESIDENTIAL POISE: Ms Freeman and Herbal Life. The episode delivered a self-knockout blow when asked comprehensively under-cut her previous what she would do were the Presidency to attachment to the high moral ground. face a real crisis over property legislation or a QUOTE: ‘I wouldn’t be qualified to answer dissolution of the Dáil. Definitely not the that question right now.’ SCORE: 2/10 BEST MOMENT: Was the best of the amateurs when it came to the issue of the Gavin Duffy actual powers and role of the Presidency in STRATEGY: Recover from what has literally areas such as referring a Bill to the Supreme become a car-crash of a campaign, and Court. regain credibility. The fact that nobody WORST MOMENT: No particular disaster brought up his judgement in continuing to but he was left behind when the other two drive badly well into his 30s, after the serious dragons attacked Michael D from the start. crash he was involved in when he was 18, Showed him up as an irrelevance. might seem like a good thing. But actually, it QUOTE: ‘When we come to commemorate meant nobody including the other also-rans, the foundation of the State we need to have a view him as a real threat. conversation about what kind of society do PRESIDENTIAL POISE: Strong on the issue we want for future decades? We need to set a of the real rather than imaginary powers of the new moral compass, for a new modern Presidency. But still not entirely convincing on Ireland.’ the hearts and minds stuff. He comes across SCORE: 4/10 as a functionary.
WORST MOMENT: Struggled constitutional role of the Presidency badly when Liadh Ní Riada took the but did not really recover from his Seán Gallagher fight to him over his essential Michael D Higgins initial mauling. Detach himself from STRATEGY: disappearance from Irish public life STRATEGY: Avoid errors, inspire us all PRESIDENTIAL POISE: Mr the rest of the contenders and after 2011. and remain floating high beyond the Higgins got a rude awakening. And for make inroads into the Higgins QUOTE: ‘We’ve heard stories of reach of his puny opponents. the first time, sounded old. While he lead. He did this by not being €3,000-a-night hotels, and the issue Unfortunately, President Higgins was displayed great knowledge of quite as rabid as Casey in his for us as taxpayers is we’re not in a badly mauled over the unaudited how the office operates in attacks. And defending his position to see these figures as €317,000 allowance due to his weak practice rather than theory, fellow candidates – Freeman on they’re not transparent... it’s position of, ‘you can have transparency, he has been doing the job her loan, and Higgins on his shocking we had but not until after you elect for seven years. age – when they were being to hear through me’. Calling for reform BEST MOMENT: Being questioned over other difficult the PAC that after he has been in the assailed left and right, issues. This is also a shrewd these gig himself for seven particularly by Peter voting strategy. As he will accounts are years was not Casey, Mr Higgins need to attract a lot of not audited.’ effective. managed to get off one transfers, if this turns into an SCORE: Perked up a little zinger, suggesting actual race. 7/10 when the debate Casey wanted a PRESIDENTIAL POISE: moved on to the return to ‘landlordism’ Sounded Presidential, in a where only the rich safe pair of hands sort of got into politics. way. Role of reasoned mediator calming the squabbling panel was WORST MOMENT: The particularly effective. whole first half of BEST MOMENT: His recall the debate, where that Michael D was behind at one point the Eamon Gilmore when he President was called for the resignation of reduced to John O’Donoghue because complaining that: ‘I of unacceptable am answering quite a extravagance before lot of questions.’ noting: ‘If extravagance is ‘I took a not acceptable in 2009, SECOND TRY: TOP QUOTE: Seán Gallagher reduction in my salary. The how is it acceptable salary is now €249,000.’ today?’ with his wife Trish SCORE: 5/10 Duffy campaign fudge on payout for reckless crash GAVIN DUFFY’S presidential By drivers, who were paying their campaign deliberately misled this Michael O’Farrell insurance, funded the vast majority of newspaper last week when we asked the claim against Mr Duffy. A-Ceart who paid the compensation awarded to himself or if it had been funded by the road safety campaigner Mary Clinton the woman maimed when he crashed Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland. His called on the multimillionaire to repay into her. PR adviser Richard Moore said: ‘Gavin the money, adding: ‘Other people who At the time of the 1978 crash, Mr Duffy made a payment from his own are paying their insurance are paying Duffy had been driving without funds in relation to the case.’ for what he did.’ insurance and a driving licence. The full truth – which Mr Duffy In a statement Mr Duffy told the POLL The victim was awarded £221,127 withheld until after we published – was MoS: ‘I paid the MIBI the amount POSITION: when Mr Duffy was sued under his that he’d made a settlement of £35,000 sought by them from me in full and Michael D. MISLED: Our story last week about birth name Liam Duffy. Last Saturday and that the balance of £186,127 had final settlement. That then concluded Higgins Gavin ‘Liam’ Duffy’s 1978 crash we asked whether he had paid this been paid by MIBI – meaning other all matters arising from the accident.’