IRELAND’S BEST-SELLING DAILY NEWSPAPER Seachtain Creamy haddock chowder Nuachtán do Clodagh gach scoláirí McKenna’s Saor gach Céadaoin Midweek Meals www.independent.ie Wednesday, October 17, 2018 €2.00 (£1.30 in ) C Casey faces calls to quit Áras race over ‘racist’ Traveller comments

Kevin Doyle The businessman launched They are not from Romany or Floating Voter’. When chal- Mr Casey cited an ongoing the Travelling community and GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR a lengthy attack on the Travel- whatever.” lenged on his views, Mr Casey dispute in Tipperary where six the Irish Human Rights and ler community, arguing: “They Mr Casey was speaking on doubled down, saying the homes are empty in a €1.7m Equality Commission, said: PRESIDENTIAL candidate are not paying their fair share Independent.ie’s podcast ‘The arrival of Travellers “devas- development because families “He should withdraw from Peter Casey is facing calls to of taxes in society.” tates the prices of the houses”. living on an unauthorised site the campaign. He’s shown pull out of the election after History was made last year “Let’s call a spade a spade. nearby want stables for horses. he’s not fit to represent all the claiming Travellers should when the Dáil gave formal “Your house price doesn’t The comments were people of Ireland. This man is not be recognised as an eth- recognition to Travellers as a Independent.ie: Listen to start going through the roof described by Pavee Point a racist. He is scapegoating my nic minority because they are distinct ethic group within the Peter Casey’s remarks on the as soon as you get two dozen as “grossly insulting and community.” “basically people camping in State. However, Mr Casey said: Floating Voter podcast Travellers moving in down the offensive”. someone else’s land”. “That’s a load of nonsense. street from you,” he said. David Joyce, a member of Full story, Pages 12-13 Lifeline for May of more time to make Border deal

Kevin Doyle the ‘transition period’, during ern Ireland inside the customs and Cormac McQuinn which Britain will still operate union unless and until the within EU rules. Border question is resolved. THE EU is open to the idea of The arrangement is cur- To avoid creating a border allowing Britain to leave the rently due to run for 21 down the Irish Sea, UK Prime bloc over a longer period of months, up to December 2020. Minister Theresa May has sug- time in return for agreeing to Such a move allows more gested keeping all of Britain prevent a hard Border. time for Britain and the EU to inside the customs union for a Ahead of a crucial summit sort out a new trade relation- limited time. of European leaders today, ship, including a permanent The EU is open to this idea EU Brexit negotiator Michel way of avoiding a hard Border. but says there can be no spe- Down and out: Welsh loss leaves Ireland on brink Barnier has offered a new pro- In return for the exten- cific end date for Northern posal to break the deadlock. sion the EU wants the UK to Ireland. Shattered: Ireland’s Shane Duffy falls to the turf after Ireland’s defeat to Wales in the Nations The proposal on the table sign-up to a legally binding League in the Aviva Stadium in last night. The defeat leaves Ireland facing relegation to is an extension by a year of ‘backstop’ that will keep North- Full coverage, Pages 4-5 League C of the competition and will increase pressure on manager Martin O’Neill. See Sport

Recommended retail price of the in ROI is €2.00 (£1.30 in Northern Ireland) Vol. 127 No. 248 Irish Independent C 12 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 IRISH INDEPENDENT News Race for the Áras Casey sparks Casey: ‘I don’t believe Travellers should be gi outrage with :: Presidential candidate Peter Casey joined ‘Nonsense’: Peter Kevin Doyle on ‘The Floating Voter’ Casey was forthright in his views on Travellers. podcast to discuss his Áras ambitions. He PHOTO: MARK CONDREN his ‘racist’ now faces a backlash over this exchange

ETER Casey KD: They are seen as a remarks on was asked minority ethnicity. how his view PC: That’s a load of nonsense. that it’s easy to They are not from Romany or become rich whatever. They are basically in Ireland sits people that are camping in Travellers P with voters at a other people’s land. Imagine time that other candidates are the poor farmer whose land talking about homelessness. they camped on. Who’d buy the land from him? Peter Casey: You’ve got The neighbours in the Kevin Doyle people turning down houses houses all around. Do you and Shane Phelan because it’s not where they think this is great for my Independent.ie: Listen to want to live, it’s not what property value that I’ve now PRESIDENTIAL candidate Peter Casey’s remarks on the they want. I’m sorry, if you’re got three dozen caravans Peter Casey is facing calls Floating Voter podcast being offered a free house you down the road? That’s just to pull out of the race after should take it. wrong. Somebody needs to sit claiming Travellers should And then you’ve got this up and say this is nonsense. not be recognised as an eth- itor, added: “I don’t think any ridiculous situation down in We have given them nic minority because they are presidential campaign in the Tipperary. The poor council, luxurious houses and they are “basically people camping in past has ever stooped to this or people of Tipperary, paid turning them down because someone else’s land”. level of blatant racism.” €1.7m to build six luxurious they want stables. The businessman launched a He said the candidate’s views houses. We’re talking state of But they know nobody else lengthy attack on the commu- were “founded on ignorance, the art, solar panels, amazing will move into the house. nity, arguing: “They are not prejudice and pure racism”. finishes inside houses for the Could you imagine the paying their fair share of taxes “The notion that we all live in Travellers. And they won’t brave person from Dublin in society.” caravans and pull up on peo- move in because they want that would say ‘oh I’d love a History was made last year ple’s land is rubbish,” he said. stables for their horses. I four-bedroom house with when the Dáil gave formal Martin Collins, co-director mean how ridiculous have solar panels and beautifully recognition to Travellers as a of Pavee Point Traveller and we become as a society kitted-out kitchens’? Do you distinct ethnic group within Roma Centre, said: “These where they are turning down think they’d move in past the the State. comments put his presiden- beautiful, four-bedroom Travellers that are sitting However, Mr Casey said: tial campaign on the same houses because they’re out there waiting, watching “That’s a load of nonsense. level as a local election where blackmailing the county them move in? Not going to They are not from Romany or people play the nimby card to council into giving them happen. They are afraid of whatever.” gain votes, as we have seen so stables for their horses? them. When challenged about his often in the past. I’m sorry, there’s something KD: I have to put it to you views on Independent.ie’s “This potentially can feed seriously wrong with society. that that kind of statement into racist stereotypes and it is Kevin Doyle: That will is one that will make people reckless and irresponsible and resonate with some people worry about electing you. but you know I think it’s just ‘Racism’: David certainly not befitting anyone but it will irk others. Is that Travellers have been fighting wrong. Joyce of Human standing to be president for all the sort of statement you for rights in this country for KD: It’s a very broad Rights and Equality the people of Ireland.” could make as president? generations, be that in the statement, though. You can’t Commission Mr Collins said Mr Casey’s PC: I think the president can’t area of education or housing just say all Travellers don’t pay input had helped to “belittle make statements contrary to or other supports. taxes. the lived experience of Trav- government policy. Obviously PC: They get education. Casey: PC: Well I’m just saying the podcast ‘The Floating Voter’, ellers in terms of racism and when I am president I will not They get support. They are ‘They general perception is ... I’ll ask Mr Casey doubled down, say- exclusion”. be making any statements not paying their fair share of you a question. Where do you ing the arrival of Travellers in The interview was described contrary to government taxes in society. They live, by are not live, Kevin? an area “devastates the prices as “very concerning” by Shane policy. I’ve got about seven and large it’s acknowledged, paying KD: Where do I live? I live in of the houses”. O’Curry, director of the Euro- or eight days to knock myself outside of society. That’s why their Dublin. “Let’s call a spade a spade. pean Network Against Rac- out here. I don’t believe that they get their status. PC: You live in Dublin, right. Your house price doesn’t start ism, which has 87 member Travellers should be given But do they put in their tax fair KD: I don’t like where this going through the roof as soon organisations in Ireland. special status. Why should returns? Do they pay their share of is going. I’ll give you a little as you get two dozen Travel- “I am shocked at the igno- they be given status over and taxes? Obviously they have to taxes’ bit of leeway, but I ask the lers moving in down the street rance of his comments. They above yourself or myself? pay VAT when they buy stuff questions. from you,” he said. show that Peter Casey is as He cited an ongoing dispute ignorant as he is inept at in Tipperary where six homes politicking,” he said. are empty in a €1.7m devel- “His comments about Travel- opment because families liv- ler ethnicity fly in the face of Ní Riada strikes a chord on streets, but slipping int ing on an unauthorised site academic consensus and what nearby want stables for horses. Travellers say themselves. “I’m sorry, there’s something “It betrays a gross misun- seriously wrong with society derstanding of what it is to be ning late and most of the pub presidential election. campaign only gained her a when we’re at that stage,” Mr an ethnic minority, as well as seemed to be filled with Welsh She was strong and assured, chorus of eyes being cast up Casey said. a gross misunderstanding of Nicola football fans having pre-lunch- she was a little charismatic. to heaven. The MEP realised His comments were last what life is like in Ireland for Anderson time pints. There was even an historic this. But it was too late. night described by Pavee ethnic minorities. “Who is she?” asked one, with landmark moment when she “Oh. Do you know, hands Point as “ill-informed, grossly “The purpose of recognis- curiosity. “Has she a chance?” said that she would wear the up on that – it was never my insulting and offensive”. ing Traveller ethnicity is to Good question. poppy. intention to do that,” she David Joyce, a member of renegotiate the relationship HE daughter of Liadh and her supporters So far, so impressive. Or at admitted of her remarks, as the Travelling community and between society and Travellers composer Seán Ó stayed a moment and then set least, in terms of this election she hit the streets of Dublin the Irish Human Rights and so that we can value Travellers’ Riada, Liadh Ní off towards Grafton Street at a campaign, it was. for a canvass. Equality Commission, told the contribution to society more. Riada was taken to pace. And then she slipped and “I think it’s awful that there’s Irish Independent: “He should “Peter Casey’s comments T Grogan’s pub on It was almost as if the pres- plunged into that yawning only two women in this race withdraw from the campaign. have a devastating effect. Let’s South William Street in Dublin idential candidate was keen black hole. and so it wasn’t intentional in He’s shown he’s not fit to rep- not forget that when politi- where ‘Mise Éire’, her father’s to put the previous night’s Dissing the sisterhood is any sense. Sometimes when resent all the people of Ire- cians have made comments great work, was supposed to televised debate behind her. never pretty – and Liadh’s you’re in these hothouse land. This man is a racist. He is like those before they have be played. The Sinn Féin candidate was snide comment about not debates, you say things...” scapegoating my community.” resulted in violence and intim- But world champion uilleann the first to speak in the first tel- having a wealthy ex-boyfriend She apologised afterwards Mr Joyce, who is also a solic- idation against Travellers.” piper Eamonn Walsh was run- evised debate of this odd little like Joan Freeman to fund her and Joan understood. IRISH INDEPENDENT Wednesday, October 17, 2018 13 Race for the Áras News s should be given any special status’ ANALYSIS

Laura Larkin

Women should not be shamed about ‘disloyalty to sisterhood’

T WAS uncomfortable to watch Liadh Ní Riada take an unexpected swipe at Joan Freeman over “whatever relationship you had with this guy”, referring to the I millionaire businessman who has loaned her €120,000 for her campaign. The exchange was one of the few standout moments of the ‘Claire Byrne Live’ debate, which was later described by one of the candidates as “boring”. Ms Freeman described it as “below the belt” and said it was “unnecessary” before going on to point out that her husband of many years was in the audience. There have been more than a few cringe- inducing moments to date in the presidential campaign, but that one felt different. The campaign has not been without personal attacks (especially on the first dogs). This one felt different because it was woman on woman and it was about a man. It felt disloyal to the sisterhood. It felt, not to put too fine a point on it, ‘bitchy’. Ms Ní Liadh said she didn’t mean anything by it and has apologised fully in the interim, telling the Irish Independent: “Hands up on that. It was never my intention to do that. I think it’s awful that there are only two women in this [election], so it wasn’t intentional in any PC: OK, fair enough. a spade. Your house price market because they feel down? They are given free sense.” Would you be quite happy doesn’t start going through discriminated against. Every education, free healthcare. But had the male candidates present had a if two dozen caravans with the roof as soon as you get so often we see villages Down in Tipperary, they’ve similar exchange would it have elicited the Travellers pulled up 400 or two dozen Travellers moving shutting down if there is a given them electricity. They same response? 500 yards from your house? in down the street from you. funeral or a wedding. got everything there for them. There has been a lot of talk throughout Would you? Laura Larkin: Just to point That discrimination is still They are now giving them six this campaign about promoting women in KD: I don’t think they’d fit out that all your comments very much alive and well. I beautiful houses that cost the politics (more from the male candidates than on the road by my house. But are coming against a think we need to point out people of Tipperary €1.7m. the female challengers, it has to be said), but no, look, I accept that many background, as Kevin said, your comments are coming That doesn’t include the cost maybe we should be talking about what it communities have a problem where Travellers have fought against that backdrop. of the land. means to have more women in public life. when people pull up and for rights in this country Do you think you’re paying They are refusing to move Does it mean that the nature of public debate move in and have caravans for a long time. Last week enough attention to those into the houses because they will change? Probably. We’ve seen female TDs and whatever might come we saw research about factors? want stables for their horses. talk about the aggressive culture in Leinster with that for a community ... discrimination by teachers PC: I think that’s just a load of We’ve just lost it. I honestly House which serves nobody, least of all the PC: It devastates the prices against Travellers in schools, nonsense, what you just said, just don’t understand how public. of the houses in the areas we see evidence that they with all respect. Seriously. anybody can justify that they It would be a refreshing departure to think that they do. Let’s call a spade feel locked out of the jobs Why would villages close deserve special treatment. that debate could become more centred on policy and less on politics. Nowhere is the focus on personality politics more evident than during the presidential campaign. A change in discourse is the likely change of eets, but slipping into that yawning black hole won’t have helped having more women in office at all levels of Irish politics. But that’s a standard that should be set for all people in public life and it should be a steady But that wasn’t quite the end another woman in the race.” Here, she clarified that she Paddy Mulligan, from Cavan, bar for everyone. of the cattiness. Veiled cattiness is perhaps had been actually talking about thought she performed well in It’s unfair to have multiple sets of standards “I can only commend the even worse than the regular the average MEP wage – rather the debate. for females in public life; we want them to be kind. She explained about than the real ‘average wage’. “She has my vote,” he said. visible and credible and able for the debate the poppy and why she might Back on the streets, Liadh Outside a clothes store, but we also want them to toe the line of an Cattiness: Liadh be willing to wear one on received a relatively warm Eamonn Walsh had caught up unwritten solidarity if they are facing off Ní Riada had a pop Armistice Day. “As a repub- welcome. with the entourage and finally against a woman. at Joan Freeman in lican woman, it’s something Judith Spring, from Dublin, struck up with a few bars from Would we expect a man to behave differently the TV debate that I would have an internal said she was impressed by ‘Mise Éire’. News towards a political rival simply because they struggle with,” she admitted. her because she feels it is now Liadh, whose father died Young are a man? Your answer should tell you all you But as a conciliatory ges- the right time to start talking when she was just four, gazed spend need to know about double standards. work that Joan does for Pieta ture towards unionists, she about a united Ireland – and downwards as he played. Personal attacks have no place in politics House,” continued Liadh. believes it would show them nobody else seems to be doing And then she had a go her- one-third and that comment had no place in a debate “I think the presidency is that they have nothing to fear. it. She had watched the TV self, arranging the pipes of their between candidates looking to prove about broader issues – about She raised some eyebrows debate but found it “staged” around her and managing an income on themselves worthy as a President of Ireland. a huge range of issues includ- when she spoke on radio that and “cringey”. But she thinks unmusical toot. “It’s a lot to be housing It wasn’t becoming but it wasn’t any worse ing mental health... but I’m morning about a ‘€60,000 she might vote for Liadh managing, isn’t it?” she said, in coming from Liadh Ní Riada than it would delighted there’s at least average wage’. because of “the pedigree”. some surprise. 18 have been coming from the male candidates. IRELAND’S BEST-SELLING NEWSPAPER

Rúaidhrí O’Connor: Clodagh Carbery growing into a McKenna’s Midweek genuine rival to Sexton Meals Lifestyle WIN tickets to Ireland v England – See Sport

Wednesday, January 16, 2019 €2.20 (£1.50 in Northern Ireland) C Border checks on trade to follow no-deal – Coveney

Humiliated: May’s Brexit Varadkar deal crushed dines out on in crucial vote steak amid beef backlash Kevin Doyle and Philip Ryan Cormac McQuinn TÁNAISTE has admitted checks on goods THE ate a “very nice moving between the UK and Hereford steak” hours after he Ireland will be necessary in said he was cutting back on the event of a no-deal Brexit. red meat, comments that have In a private conversation caused an angry backlash. caught on tape, Mr Coveney has been indicated ministers should not accused of being “reck- talk about the checks publicly less” and “flippant” after he for fear of a backlash. revealed he was reducing his The admission came as Brit- meat consumption for health reasons and to decrease his carbon footprint. Farming groups and Oppo- What next?: News, comment sition TDs have reacted furi- and analysis in the wake of ously to his comments at a May’s heavy defeat p4-11 party think-in. How- ever, during heated exchanges in the Dáil, Mr Varadkar ish Prime Minister Theresa insisted: “I was specifically May suffered a historic defeat asked what I was doing on cli- in the House of Commons on mate change and I said that I her EU exit deal. Protest: Effigies of British Prime Minister Theresa May, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, current Environment Secretary was trying to eat less red meat “It is clear the House does Michael Gove and former Brexit secretary David Davis are driven past Westminster in London yesterday. PHOTO: PA – not giving it up. not support this deal, but “I had a very nice Hereford tonight’s vote tells us nothing of a hard Brexit had increased where they’ll be at this stage”. Ireland,” he said. Mr Coveney Scotland to Northern Ireland steak last night.” about what it does support,” and “time is almost up”. “But once you start talking added that the border checks and then on to the Republic The Irish Independent under- the prime minister said. However, during a private about checks anywhere near “could be at sea”. without any checks. stands Mr Varadkar took Fine She now faces a motion of no conversation with Transport the Border, people will start The admission came after Mr Coveney told this news- Gael colleagues to an upmar- confidence in her government. Minister , the delving into that and all of a Mr Ross bungled a question paper: “We are not planning ket Dublin restaurant special- After Mrs May lost by 432 to Tánaiste confirmed a form of sudden we’ll be the Govern- from the Irish Independent to put checks on the Border.” ising in steaks that evening. 202, EU President Jean-Claude checks will be introduced in a ment that reintroduced a phys- on whether in a no-deal sce- Juncker bluntly said the risk no-deal “but we can’t get into ical border on the island of nario a truck could travel from Continued on page 4 Full report: page 2

Recommended retail price of the Irish Independent in ROI is €2.20 (£1.50 in Northern Ireland) Vol. 128 No. 14 Irish Independent IRISH INDEPENDENT Wednesday, January 16, 2019 5 Brexit News Border checks on trade will follow ‘no deal’, says Coveney

Kevin Doyle you start talking about checks” and Laura Larkin people will “start delving into that”. TÁNAISTE Simon Coveney The Government has repeat- has admitted checks on goods edly sought to play down EU moving between the UK and rules which indicate it would Ireland will be necessary in be our responsibility to protect the event of a no-deal Brexit. the single market when Ire- However, in a private con- land becomes a land frontier versation with his Cabinet for the EU post-Brexit. colleague Shane Ross, Mr Publicly, the Tánaiste Coveney indicated they should confirmed a new side deal not talk about the possibility between Ireland and the UK – publicly. involving several agreements During the discussion, – has been hammered out in caught on tape after a press order to maintain the common briefing, the Tánaiste confirms travel area (CTA). that some form of checks will The CTA allows free move- be introduced “but we can’t ment of citizens between the get into where they’ll be at this two countries and provides for stage”. social protection and the abil- He added they “could be at ity of students to study in both sea”, something that would be Ireland and the UK. vehemently opposed by the Mr Coveney confirmed deals Democratic Unionist Party. have been reached on educa- The admission came after tion, social protection and the Transport Minister bun- healthcare, with all “ready to gled a question from a jour- go” as part of a bilateral deal nalist on whether in a no-deal between the two countries. scenario a truck could travel This will ensure the benefits of from Scotland to Northern Ire- the current arrangement are land and then on to the Repub- maintained “deal or no deal”, lic without any checks the Tanáiste said. “I would anticipate that there Legislative plans for a would be checks,” Mr Ross no-deal Brexit have also been said, before being interrupted fleshed out with a Brexit by the Tánaiste. ‘megabill’ covering 17 areas Mr Coveney told reporters across various departments – “Mrs May will now be able tician cautioned that “reassur- would intensify preparations the question was another way including healthcare, taxation to demonstrate to the Brus- ances, whether in the form of ‘Mrs for a no-deal Brexit. of asking “if there are contin- and energy – will be published sels negotiators that changes letters or warm words, will not May “The risk of a disorderly gency plans for a Border on at the end of February. are required if any deal is to be enough”. withdrawal of the United the island of Ireland”. Some of the areas it will command the support of Par- Former foreign secretary will be Kingdom has increased with “Let me just be very clear, we include are ensuring financial liament. We will work with the and hardline Brexiteers Boris able to this evening’s vote,” he said. have made it very clear that support for students studying Government constructively to Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg show Donald Tusk, the chairman the way to deal with the Border in the UK, while another more achieve a better deal.” both indicated they will also of EU leaders, suggested issue is what has been agreed procedural area will be ensur- She added that while some support the Government. Brussels Britain should now consider after two years of trying to find ing UK driving licences are “may wish to use this defeat to The EU said the Brexit deal change reversing Brexit. “If a deal is the most sensible way of doing recognised here. boost their political ambitions, remained the best and only is impossible, and no one wants this,” he said. The Government has out- we will give the Government way to ensure an orderly with- needed’ no deal, then who will finally After the hour-long brief- lined a very tight time-frame the space to set out a plan to drawal. have the courage to say what ing, Mr Ross turned to his in which to get the bill pushed secure a better deal”. EU Commission President the only positive solution is?” colleague and asked: “The through the Houses of the However, the Northern poli- Jean-Claude Juncker said it he tweeted. Border one. Should I not have . said that?” Mr Coveney said he expects In response, Mr Coveney co-operation from the Oppo- said: “Yes, but we can’t get into sition to get the bill through where they’ll be at this stage.” but conceded it would “test as Ross ventures off the Brexit script He goes on to say that “once politics here”.

if a truck left Scotland and that?” Mr Ross responded, their Independent colleague. travelled by boat to Larne before whispering to Mr ‘Can I Further explanation will in Northern Ireland, could Coveney “the answer to that come now have to be provided it then move south as is is ‘yes’, isn’t it?” as to what exactly the currently the case without “Probably, depending back to Government’s thinking is on any checks. on where they get their you on a Border, be that in the Irish “I would anticipate that insurance,” the Tánaiste told that?’ Sea, at UK ports or on the there would be checks,” Mr him before explaining that island of Ireland. Editorial Ross said before being cut off such a scenario will be dealt Elsewhere during the press Comment by the Tánaiste. with in emergency legislation briefing, Mr Coveney hit out Focus now Later, the Transport being worked on by the at those who “wish things for UK Admission: Minister was asked by the Government. away” but can’t provide Tánaiste ‘Financial Times’ whether a Given how carefully Mr “any kind of convincing must be on Simon motorist travelling from Co Coveney and Taoiseach Leo explanation for how you avoid avoiding Coveney Donegal to Co would Varadkar have worked to Border infrastructure without no-deal was taped continue to be insured once control the Brexit narrative, regulatory alignment”. crash-out saying border they crossed into the North. they are likely to feel sore No doubt, he wishes Mr checks would “Can I come back to you on about the performance by Ross’s contribution away. 31 be necessary 4 Thursday, January 17, 2019 IRISH INDEPENDENT News FG ministers Brexit Simon and Shane Countdown to chaos ‘shocked’ by Lost for words Relying on Shane to soothe Brexit fears Ross’s gaffe should come with a over Border major health warning Taoiseach admits checks will be hard to avoid in no-deal scenario

Kevin Doyle Kevin Doyle the exchange was “deeply GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR worrying because it suggests the public are not being told TRANSPORT Minister Shane the full truth for party political OMETHING very near the Border, people Ross has been described as “an reasons”. worrying has hap- will start delving into that embarrassment” by Fine Gael “This obviously was a con- pened and it’s diffi- and all of a sudden we’ll colleagues who are fuming versation that was never cult to know which of be the Government that over his limited grasp of the meant to be public; the micro- S the two possibilities reintroduced a physical Brexit crisis. phones were still on. However, is worse. Border on the island of Cabinet members were it seems there is a private Either some form of Border Ireland.” unsparing in the commen- understanding and knowledge checks is inevitable in the The transport boss replied: tary about the Independent within Government about a wake of a no-deal Brexit, or at “Yeah, but I didn’t know what Alliance TD after he appeared Border in the aftermath of a this late stage in the game a to say.” to suggest Border checks are no-deal Brexit but at all costs minister central to the process Fianna Fáil leader Micheál inevitable if the Brexit deal that private understanding still doesn’t understand the Martin summed up the collapses. must not be shared with the much eulogised ‘backstop’. exchange by saying it The breach of the long-run- public,” Mr Martin said. The impact of a hard “suggests the public are not ning Government policy not “It is like the episode from Brexit on the transport being told the full truth for to engage on questions about ‘Fawlty Towers’, ‘Whatever you sector has the potential to party political reasons”. what will happen at the Bor- do, don’t mention the war’, but be devastating. Air travel, “It is like the episode from der in a no-deal scenario has somebody forgot to tell the shipping and road haulage all ‘Fawlty Towers’, ‘Whatever angered colleagues from Tao- minister, Deputy Ross.” face severe challenges. you do, don’t mention the iseach Leo Varadkar down. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou Therefore, as we careen war’,” Mr Martin told the Dáil. The Irish Independent McDonald said the Taoiseach towards a worst case scenario, However, the public revealed yesterday how had “skated” around the issue He added: “To maintain the role of Transport Minister concern should run much Tánaiste Simon Coveney had of what happens without the ‘It’s like the absence of a hard Border Shane Ross in the process can deeper than the confusion to warn Mr Ross not to dis- backstop. ‘Fawlty between Northern Ireland only increase. between ministers. cuss the possibility of Border “Is it not now time to say out and Ireland, we have to have Yet when he appeared Mr Ross was asked a string checks in public for fear “that loud that in the absence of a Towers’ an agreement on customs and alongside Tánaiste Simon of other questions during the all of a sudden we’ll be the deal, there will be a hard Bor- ...Don’t regulation.” Coveney and Health Minister briefing and routinely failed Government that reintroduced der and to reassert that this is mention The Taoiseach sought to Simon Harris to reassure the to provide adequate answers. a physical border on the island an unacceptable, indeed, an defend Mr Coveney’s com- nation, he appeared to be in Have Irish authorities of Ireland”. unconscionable situation for the war’ ment, explaining that his “only another world. any plans to do trial runs at Details of the private conver- us?” she asked. concern” in answering ques- Dublin Port based on possible sation, caught on tape after a Mr Varadkar subsequently tions on Border checks “is that checks to see how it impacts press briefing, were widely conceded that without a deal if one uses the wrong words or Shane Ross: Many on traffic in the area? reported by UK and interna- “obviously we have a big prob- says things in the wrong way, in Fine Gael doubt “There is an tional media. lem” but insisted there are people will misinterpret that his ability to handle interdepartmental body And in the Dáil, Fianna Fáil still no contingency plans for as though one has some sort a major crisis which is considering all leader Micheál Martin said a hard Border. of secret plan to impose a hard eventualities and I would be amazed if it hasn’t considered Mr Coveney attempted to that as a possibility.” mop up the mess yesterday On alternatives to the as he claimed a private landbridge, which sees Irish Plans hatched to delay Brexit until 2020 as Brussels ur conversation they had about trucks use the UK as a route Border checks related to the to mainland Europe, he said backstop. Apparently, the least direct sea routes from Dublin worst explanation was the and Rosslare to France are the Continued from Page 1 But her olive branch was Denial: Union. We want to leave with terrifying idea that he had to priority. But then he admitted last night rejected by Labour’s Taoiseach a deal, but she is determined explain the central pillar of there “hasn’t as yet seemed to Mr Varadkar again insisted Jeremy Corbyn who refused Leo Varadkar to deliver on the verdict of the the deal to his colleague. be a great deal of appetite for yesterday that there is no to have substantive talks the insists there British public, and that is to In reality though, the that switch”. “secret plan” to impose a hard prime minister unless she are no secret leave the EU on March 29 this question put to Mr Ross Mr Ross was asked if he Border. took ‘no deal’ off the table. plans being year,” he said. during the press conference had a list of products with “This is a problem that began “Before there can be any held back. However, when asked about related to a no-deal scenario. limited shelf lives. “We just Comment in Westminster with the ref- positive discussions about the the idea of delaying Brexit one He was asked if a truck came don’t know exactly the answer May erendum on Brexit. We found way forward the government of Mrs May’s closest allies, from Scotland to Antrim to that question which is promised a solution: the Withdrawal must remove clearly, once Pensions Minister Amber by boat, could it then drive why we are looking at the Agreement negotiated over and for all, the prospect of the Rudd, last night told reporters straight to the Republic alternatives,” he answered. unity and several months and agreed by catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit nothing should be taken off without any checks. It’s no secret that many in stability 28 governments. from the EU and all the chaos the table. “I would anticipate that Fine Gael doubt Mr Ross’s but is “Now Westminster has that would come as a result of There have been discussions there would be checks,” Mr ability to handle a major crisis delivering rejected that solution. There- that,” Mr Corbyn said. at EU level about a possible Ross said, before being cut off – but he has to get on top of it. fore the problem lies in West- A Downing Street spokes- three-month delay – but it is by the Tánaiste, who insisted Otherwise he’ll end up like only minster,” the Taoiseach said. person said Mrs May was not understood the legal implica- there is no secret plan for Basil Fawlty when asked by turmoil He welcomed Mrs May’s going to bow to the demand. tions of stalling the process Border controls on this island. a guest if he knew anywhere Jane move to try to break the dead- “The prime minister has until 2020 are now being Afterwards, he told Mr that served French food. lock in the House of Commons been very clear that the investigated. Ross: “Once you start talking “Yes, France, I believe,” was Merrick by meeting with other party British public voted to One hurdle to such a about checks anywhere the response. 29 leaders. leave the European lengthy extension is that IRISH INDEPENDENT Thursday, January 17, 2019 5 Brexit News

EXPLAINER Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Shane Ross were talking privately at the end of a press briefing without realising the microphone was still on: How ‘backstop’ IN FRIDAY’S became Brexit’s IRISH sticking point INDEPENDENT “Yeah. The border one, should I not have said that?” * John Downing Sleep like a baby :: THE 500km stretch from Property returns for 2019 with Dundalk to Derry becomes the only de facto land the best houses on the frontier between the EU and market and Eleanor the UK after Brexit. “Yes, but we can’t get into where Flegg says gender :: The border-free EU single neutral colours and they’ll be at this stage. They could market ended customs be in the sea, they could be... But controls in January 1993. convertible furniture Ceasefires leading to the are the key to once you start talking about checks 1998 Good Friday Agreement anywhere near the border, people ended security checks. interior design in a nursery will start delving into that and all of :: Brexit risks a return of a sudden we’ll be the government customs controls, which could be a focus for violent that reintroduced a physical border attacks. The UK was Acting Queen on the island of Ireland.” originally determined to leave both the EU customs Paul Whitington union and the single market. assesses the That would mean trade tariffs and product standard performance of checks – a ‘hard Border’. Saoirse Ronan “Yeah, but I didn’t know what :: Brussels, London and in Mary Queen Dublin agreed they did of Scots and to say.” not want a hard Border. In December 2017, they agreed Steve Carrell in a formula now called ‘the Beautiful Boy backstop’ – in practice, the North stays in the customs union with no tariffs and The price of silence **This is a reference to a question Mr Ross was asked would mimic EU single- about whether a truck travelling from Scotland by market product standards, boat to Larne could then proceed to the Republic minimising checks. In Sport, how refusing to without any checks. During the press briefing, he talk to the media could replied: “I would anticipate that there would be :: The DUP, propping the checks.” minority UK government, cost a GAA intercounty objected to the North getting team €30,000 a year different Brexit terms. The Border between Northern play right into the hands of the meeting with the four Alliance arrangement was extended in lost commercial Ireland and Ireland. We have Brexiteers,” the minister said. ministers on Tuesday night to all the UK as a temporary revenue no such secret plan”. Another party figure noted where the atmosphere was insurance policy, expiring Privately, Fine Gael minis- that appearing competent described as positive. when a long-term EU-UK ters blamed Mr Ross for not throughout the Brexit nego- Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar trade deal is done. Fit in the sun being on top of his brief. tiations was key to Ireland’s also dismissed claims by DUP One Cabinet member said success to date, adding that Mr leader Arlene Foster that there :: Radical Brexiteers and Win a week at the Club La Santa they were “shell-shocked” at Ross undermined that. was never a hard Border. pro-EU politicians objected, his performance, which was Despite the anger, there is “I remember it well,” he said, fearing it would leave the fitness resort in Lanzarote, the “embarrassing”. no question of Mr Varadkar adding: “There were customs UK, in real terms, trapped world’s number one active A second Fine Gael minister taking any action against Mr checks. inside the EU if they could said the Tánaiste had always Ross due to the Independent “I remember the 24-hour not finalise a trade deal. holiday resort, plus return made it clear that they were to Alliance’s central role in the rule and I remember seeing The EU has given flights with Ryanair. be ultra-cautious when faced minority Government. soldiers and I never want to assurances that this will not with Border questions. The Taoiseach and Mr Cov- see any of those things ever happen – but refused to fix a “If you mention checks, you eney had a scheduled private again.” backstop end-date. xit until 2020 as Brussels urges ‘red lines’ rethink

elections to the European Par- The prime minister met DUP negotiator Michel Barnier He said there would be a liament are scheduled to take leader Arlene Foster yesterday firmly rejected the idea of “favourable response” from place in May. who described the talks as backtracking on the Irish the EU side if Mrs May was As a member of the EU, the useful. specific elements of the prepared to re-think her nego- UK is currently entitled to 73 The party continues to insist Withdrawal Agreement. tiating “red lines” and seek a seats in the Parliament. that it will not support any “The backstop which we more “ambitious” deal with Northern Ireland’s DUP deal which keeps Northern agreed to with the UK must Brussels. opposes the idea of an exten- Ireland more closely aligned remain a backstop. It must German Chancellor Angela sion, with MP Nigel Dodds to EU customs rules than the remain a credible backstop,” Merkel also said she regretted saying “it’s not in my view nec- rest of the UK. he said. the decision by British MPs to essary because the EU can act During the meeting with the Mr Barnier said he “pro- oppose the agreement. when it wants to...”. prime minister yesterday, DUP foundly” regretted the House She told reporters in Ber- Editorial The party’s 10 MPs, who sup- leader Arlene Foster made it of Commons vote to reject the lin that “we will of course do Comment port the minority government clear that her party’s red lines Brexit deal and added it was everything to find an orderly May fiasco under a confidence and supply remain in place. now up to the British Govern- solution, but we are also pre- shows we arrangement, proved crucial to “Lessons will need to be ment to say how it intended to pared if there is no orderly Mrs May’s survival last night learned from the vote in Par- proceed. solution”. must by margin of 325 to 306. liament,” Ms Foster said. “The “An orderly withdrawal will Ms Merkel said: “We still be ready Had they abandoned Mrs issue of the backstop needs to remain our absolute priority have time to negotiate, but we for a hard May as a protest against the be dealt and we will continue in the coming weeks,” he told are now waiting to see what Take a fresh look backstop, she would have lost to work to that end.” the European Parliament in the British prime minister border the vote. However, the EU’s chief Strasbourg. proposes.” 29 ON SATURDAY IRELAND’S BEST- SELLING NEWSPAPER

Weekend TV high-flyers Full Magazine who fell to Earth See Page 10 Bloom McGrath’s long road to Get your garden ready for summer contentment Interview – Saturday Sport

Saturday, May 25, 2019 €3.00 (£1.80 in Northern Ireland) C ‘Dangerous Green wave time’ as May exit signals a sweeps over hard Brexit

Kevin Doyle council and GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR THERESA MAY’S resignation as British prime minister has cleared the way for a hardline Brexiteer to take over in Downing Street. The future of the backstop is Euro polls expected to feature heavily in the race to replace Mrs May. Contenders will offer up a series of extreme Brexit promises in order to gain power. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has Kevin Doyle According to the poll, sitting Green described it as a “very dangerous” GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR Party councillor Ciaran Cuffe is on time for Ireland. course to top the European poll in “In the next couple of months, we A ‘GREEN wave’ swept across the Dublin with 23pc. may see the election of a Eurosceptic country to bring the party into Fine Gael should retain its four MEP prime minister who wants to repudi- contention for three European seats. seats with Mairead McGuinness the ate the Withdrawal Agreement and In a remarkable result, Eamon runaway favourite in Midlands North go for a no-deal, or we may even see Ryan’s also looks set to West and Sean Kelly on top in Ireland a new British government that wants achieve an unprecedented support South. a close relationship with the EU and level in the local elections. Former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald goes for a second referendum,” he This will leave its representatives is on course to finish second in the said. well-placed to control the balance of capital on 14pc. and Mrs May’s resignation was an power in county councils where they Maria Walsh will both be in the hunt admission there is no hope of getting will be able to influence decisions on for the final seats in their constituen- the Withdrawal Agreement through transport and planning. cies. Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews has the current House of Commons. And if the result was to be a very strong chance of taking a seat Multiple contenders are already repeated in a general election, the in Dublin, as does Billy Kelleher in jockeying to replace her in a contest Greens would almost certainly Ireland South. that will see a new leader chosen by have the option of being in the next But once again the party had a Bailey ran 10km race three weeks after fall Conservative lawmakers and party government. disastrous day out in Midlands North- members. The early frontrunner is But the prospect of Fine Gael and West where Brendan Smith and Anne Boris Johnson. Other contenders are Fianna Fáil collapsing the Govern- Rabbitte have a combined vote of just Fine Gael TD took part in a 10km run less than a month after likely to include Andrea Leadsom and ment any time soon has receded 9pc. falling from a swing at a Dublin hotel. Court papers describe her as a “keen Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. because an RTÉ/TG4 Exit Poll shows runner prior to the accident but could not run at all for three months they are tied on 23pc. Continued on Page 6 post-accident”. Full report: pages 12-13 Full report and analysis: Pages 4-5

Recommended retail price of the Irish Independent in ROI is €3.00 (£1.80 in Northern Ireland) KEEP UPTO DATE WITH LIVE ELECTION COVERAGE FROM INMONDAY’S Vol. 128 No. 125 Irish Independent THE DON’TMISSYOUR FLOATING VOTER ON 28-PAGERESULTSSUPPLEMENT N 12 Saturday, May 25, 2019 IRISH INDEPENDENT News

XMARIA BAILEY’S Bailey took part in 10km POLITICAL CONNECTIONS race three weeks after John Bailey Maria Bailey’s father, John Bailey, is a GAA activist and long-time falling off swing in hotel councillor in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. He served as chairman of the Dublin GAA County Board for a decade. He has been a councillor Court papers since 2004, topping the Timeline: What Maria did in weeks after fall poll in the Dún Laoghaire say TD could electoral area that year, and yesterday stood for not run at all for July 10: Maria Bailey falls re-election. three months off swing July 11: Ms Bailey attends the Beacon Hospital Kevin Doyle July 14: Ms Bailey appears and Shane Phelan on Ireland AM at 8.45am Culture Minister Josepha FINE Gael TD Maria Bailey July 15: She speaks at a Madigan was elected took part in a 10km race three migraine awareness event to the Dáil on the same weeks after falling from a in Stillorgan day in February 2016 as swing in a Dublin hotel. Maria Bailey and they The politician lodged a per- July 17: Ms Bailey speaks represent adjoining south sonal injuries claim on the at a Women For Election Dublin constituencies. basis that she suffered injuries event at Google The Madigan law firm, in to her head, lower back and which Josepha Madigan, hip after falling backward off July 18: Posts Facebook worked until 2017, is the swing in the well-known picture at Longitude representing Ms Bailey in Dean Hotel. this case. It is claimed Ms Bailey can July 29: Added to Fine no longer sit or stand for long Gael ticket for general periods without experiencing election pain and discomfort as a result McKillen family of the incident on July 10, 2015. August 3: Ms Bailey Eight days later she attended runs ‘The Bay 10k’ in 53 the Longitude music festival. minutes Court papers describe her as a “keen runner prior to the Busy: Top, accident but could not run at Bailey on The all for three months post-acci- Ireland AM; Shane hotel dent and has had to reduce her above, Bailey has filed activities significantly since”. speaks at Phelan a full Social media posts show that a migraine on August 3, she ran ‘The Bay event; far defence 10k’ in Dún Laoghaire. She right, running and recorded a time of 53 minutes The Bay Bailey and 56 seconds, according to 10k; right, at the Racetimer website. Longitude has to “Always enjoy the race never hand fails to impress, and also NYONE who over never gets easy. A few hills knows even the medical at the start. Well done to all slightest bit about involved,” she wrote on social the Irish business records media afterwards. A scene knows the dating It has also emerged that the McKillens are not the sort of back as dates recorded in her court people who are easily pushed submission are inaccurate. around. far as The papers indicate Ms Belfast-born Paddy McKil- three Bailey was in the hotel with len Snr built up an empire of years friends around 9pm on Mon- Ms Bailey made a number the Longitude music festival, having her photograph taken commercial buildings, shop- before day, July 13, 2015. of public appearances in the according to a Facebook post by friends “when she was ping centres and stores in the Sources close to the TD say days after receiving hospital from July 18. caused to fall backwards”, 1980s before setting his sights the the incident actually took treatment, including one on It includes a photograph and suffering injuries to her head, farther afield and growing an incident place on the previous Friday TV3’s ‘Ireland AM’ programme caption saying the concert was lower back and hip. international property portfo- evening. to discuss her experience with “such a laugh, great event”. Fine Gael did not respond lio stretching from London to The following morning she migraines. The then-councillor went on to a request for comment last Tokyo. woke up with severe back pain At 7.52am on July 14 she to be selected as a Fine Gael night. He is considered hard-work- at 6.30am which prevented her posted a message on social general election candidate on However, sources have told ing and a tough negotiator, but from getting out of bed. media publicising her appear- July 29. the Irish Independent that with a low-key approach which A doctor was called but was ance. Her appearance, along- Court papers note that she senior figures within the for many years kept him out of not able to attend and 45 min- side Dr Sinéad Beirne and could not take time off work party are unhappy with the the media spotlight. So much utes later Ms Bailey did “extri- host Alan Hughes, was at because she was running for unwelcome attention on the so that when he did hit the cate herself” from bed with the 8.45am. She discussed suf- election. Ms Bailey was elected eve of the local and European headlines as a result of a num- assistance of her mother and fering from excruciating as a TD in February 2016. elections. ber of high-stakes legal battles, medication. headaches before discovering She has brought a lawsuit The Dean Hotel denies neg- news outlets initially struggled The papers say she was “then that exercise could reduce the against the Dean Hotel in the ligence and says that if injury to source a recent photograph taken to the A&E Department pain. Circuit Court where dam- was suffered, this was due to of him. of the Beacon Hospital, Sandy- Ms Bailey also spoke at ages of up to €60,000 can be Ms Bailey’s own negligence or Mr McKillen Snr faced ford”. a number of other events, awarded. She alleges the hotel contributory negligence. down Nama in a landmark “The plaintiff was in severe including a conference on was negligent because the It claims she was holding Supreme Court case in 2011 to pain. Her jaw was swollen and migraines in south Dublin on swing was “unsupervised” and items in both hands when she prevent some €2.1bn in per- her bite was off line,” her law- July 15 and a Women For Elec- there were no signs to instruct sat on the swing, restricting forming loans to companies yers say, adding that she was tion event and a gathering in patrons how to use it safely. her ability to balance and pre- he was associated with being “stiff and sore and had a severe Google on July 17. Ms Bailey’s lawyers say she venting her from holding rope transferred to the toxic loans headache”. The next day she attended sat on the swing and was grips properly. agency. N IRISH INDEPENDENT Saturday, May 25, 2019 13 News Over 260 drivers caught speeding in Simon Coveney Garda crackdown Tánaiste Simon Coveney was supported by Ms Bailey in his unsuccessful for Slow Down Day leadership bid in May 2017. She was among the few Dublin FG parliamentarians to Allison Bray back him. and Callum Lavery

MORE than 260 drivers were Kate O’Connell caught speeding in only 12 hours yesterday. Despite An Garda Síochána’s Dublin South East TD Kate National Slow Down Day, by O’Connell is a friend of 7pm last night 261 motorists Ms Bailey’s. They were were found to be breaking the both first elected to the limit, according to gardaí. Dáil in February 2016 and Between 7am and 7pm yes- they both supported the terday, speed cameras had leadership candidacy of monitored 172,406 vehicles Simon Coveney in 2017. nationwide. In Dublin 4, a driver was found hurtling along the R118 Simon Harris Rock Road at almost twice the 50kmh limit. Health Minister Simon Another driver was travelling Speed limits were broken Harris previously at 81kmh in a 50kmh zone in throughout the country canvassed for Ms Bailey’s Griffith Avenue while another father, Cllr John Bailey. was clocked at 137kmh on the is to remind drivers of the Mr Harris is Maria M1 in Lusk, where the maxi- dangers of speeding, increase Bailey’s cousin. mum speed is 120kmh. compliance with speed limits Outside the capital, a motor- and act as a deterrent to driv- ist was caught driving at ing at excessive or inappropri- 154kmh in a 100kmh zone on ate speed,” they added. the N20 in Cork. The Road Safety Authority In Ballina, Co Mayo, a driver and the GoSafe speed-detec- formidable in business and courtroom was travelling at 143kmh in a tion company are also appeal- 100kmh zone on the N26. ing to the public to slow down. Gardaí mounting a check- “Excessive or inappropriate point near Shankill also speeding is a major factor in Then came a bitter battle and former justice minister, arrested a driver on suspicion road traffic collisions,” they with the billionaire Barclay suggested in the Seanad that of drug-driving on Ballyman warned. brothers, Frederick and David, the Government’s efforts to Road. The driver’s car was also “Safety cameras will be on when they attempted a hostile tackle claims culture could not seized. It was suspected the the roads all across Ireland takeover of the Maybourne be taken seriously when a Fine driver was uninsured. where fatal or injury collisions Hotel Group in London, where Gael TD is taking a case over The campaign ran from 7am are happening as a result of Mr McKillen had a substantial falling off a swing. yesterday until 7am today in inappropriate speed.” stake. “It does occur to me that we a bid to reduce the carnage Chief Superintendent Paul After 11 court actions in the live in a strange world where on our roads from excessive Cleary, of the Roads Policing UK, the Barclays abandoned civil liability can exist in such speed. Bureau, said he hoped the their takeover bid and sold out circumstances, but maybe we “The objective is to reduce event would discourage “com- to Qatari investors allied to Mr are only hearing a portion of the number of speed-related pletely unacceptable” speed- McKillen Snr in 2015. the evidence,” he said. collisions, save lives and ing on Irish roads. “Each time By the signs of things, his “It also occurs to me that if reduce injuries on our roads,” a vehicle speeds it could result son, Paddy McKillen Jnr, is a Fighter: An aspect of the case that has the Government is serious said gardaí. in a serious or fatal collision. chip off the old block. He is Paddy provoked much comment is a about driving down the claims “The aim of Slow Down Day Please check your speed.” just as low-key as his father McKillen set claim by the Dún Laoghaire culture, we cannot stand and in recent years he and his up an empire. TD that the hotel was negli- idly by when adults with two business partner Matt Ryan’s PHOTO: PA gent because the swing was objects, one in each hand, lose hospitality group, Press Up “unsupervised” and there were their seat and fall off a swing PROBE Entertainment, has become a no signs telling patrons how to and then claim that there considerable force. use it safely. should have been a supervisor Gardaí ‘should not be disciplined’ It now has more than 40 The case was briefly men- looking after them, especially businesses and employs tioned in Dublin Circuit Civil when it comes from somebody over firearm lost on street in capital around 1,500 in Ireland. Court this week where there who has so much public influ- One of these is a company was a motion for discovery on ence and clear influence over called Holtend Limited, which consent. The hotel has filed a Government policy in these Robin Schiller to gardaí attached to an hit the headlines this week full defence against the TD’s matters.” elite national unit based at after the Irish Independent claims and she has to hand Another interesting feature TWO detective gardaí who Harcourt Square. revealed it was being sued by over medical records dat- of the case is that the hotel lost a submachine gun on a The GSOC probe was a Fine Gael TD. ing back as far as three years offered to pay Ms Bailey’s med- busy Dublin street should launched following media The company, which trades before the incident. ical expenses, but when it sent not face any sanctions. reports of the incident as the Dean Hotel, a trendy It does not deny the swing her a cheque for €600, it was A public interest which occurred on July 10 establishment on Harcourt was unsupervised. returned. investigation was launched last year. It has now ruled Street, is not rolling over in the But it says any injury that Ms Bailey is now suing not by the Garda Síochána that the two detectives at the face of the lawsuit from Maria may have been suffered by just for general damages, Ombudsman Commission centre of the probe should Bailey, chairperson of the the TD was down to her own which can reach up to €60,000 (GSOC) last July after the not face any disciplinary Oireachtas Housing Commit- negligence or contributory in the circuit court, but also firearm was found near proceedings. tee and a close ally of Tánaiste negligence. for special damages, which World Harcourt Street in the city GSOC investigators used Simon Coveney. The hotel claims she was includes medical expenses. News centre by a member of the reconstructions of the She claims the hotel is liable holding items in both hands The hotel is not comment- Trump public. events to assist their inquiry. for injuries she suffered to her when she was sat on the ing on the matter, but it is refuses to The submachine gun was The Ombudsman said head, back and hip after fall- swing, restricting her ability noteworthy that in an environ- not loaded, and GSOC said that, on the balance of ing off a swing in the corridor to balance and preventing ment where many businesses rule out that, contrary to reports at probabilities, the car boot outside its top-floor restaurant her from holding rope grips resolve claims out of court to the death the time, the civilian did not in which the unloaded in 2015. Ms Bailey was having properly. The day details of avoid potentially hefty legal penalty for travel on the Luas to hand submachine gun was placed her photograph taken while on the case were revealed by the bills, Mr McKillen Jnr’s com- the firearm in at Store Street was closed over when the a night out with friends when Irish Independent, Senator pany is gearing up for a full FBI team garda station. driver started the car’s the fall occurred. Michael McDowell, a barrister court action. 22 The firearm belonged engine. 4 Saturday, June 1, 2019 IRISH INDEPENDENT News Taoiseach briefed on letter from Bailey

Shane Phelan In two interviews given by Ms The Irish Independent has the TD is understood to have is why, given her insistence and Kevin Doyle Bailey since controversy flared learned a Fine Gael official outlined what in her view was she was only seeking €7,000, over the case, she claimed sought to establish certain the likely cost of medical treat- Ms Bailey did not pursue her TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar was the most she was seeking facts in connection with the ment into the future. case in the District Court, briefed about correspondence was €7,000 for her medical matter and the official’s find- The briefing occurred prior which has jurisdiction to between Maria Bailey and the expenses. However, this has ings were passed to members to Mr Varadkar’s meeting with award up to €15,000. Dean hotel before launching a not been confirmed by the of the party hierarchy and the Ms Bailey on Wednesday. Instead the case was taken at probe into her compensation hotel. It has said it offered to Taoiseach’s office. Shortly afterwards, Fine Circuit Court level, where per- claim over a fall from a swing. pay Ms Bailey’s certified med- The information included Gael announced senior coun- sonal injury awards can be up The briefing included ical expenses, but when she details of a letter sent by Ms sel David Kennedy had been to €60,000. references to how much com- asked for what was described Bailey in January 2016, six appointed to undertake an The indorsement of claim pensation the TD was looking as “a substantial sum”, the months after the fall, in which internal review “to establish filed on the TD’s behalf also Ordered review: Taoiseach for in her now-abandoned matter was handed over to its she returned a cheque for all the facts”. did not state she was only Leo Varadkar personal injuries action. solicitors. €600 to the hotel. In the letter, One issue likely to be probed seeking her medical expenses.

Compensation Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey’s ill-fated compensation claim MARIA’S SEVEN against a Dublin hotel was not a rushed affair. There were several stages along the way at which it is not STAGES OF GRIEF unreasonable to assume the merits of the claim could Just when it looked have been reflected upon. SHANE PHELAN reports The cheque In the aftermath of Ms Bailey’s fall from a swing at the Dean hotel on July 10, 2015, like ‘swing-gate’ had the hotel offered to pay her vouched medical expenses. Ms Bailey claimed to have suffered injuries to her head, lower back and hip in the fall, and that she needed come to a halt, Maria hospital treatment the following day and physiotherapy and Pilates thereafter. A cheque for €600 was issued to the then gave it another push councillor. The letter A problem arose in January 2016 when Ms Bailey returned the cheque to the hotel. In correspondence attached to the “So if you trip or you fall returned cheque, the TD is understood to you have to ask yourself why have outlined what in her view was the likely Kevin it happened and more often cost of medical treatment into the future. than not the answer is because At that stage, Ms Bailey was not legally Doyle of your own carelessness,” Ms represented. The hotel has stated that when Humphreys said in a damn- the TD asked for what was described as “a ing assessment of Ms Bailey’s substantial sum” the matter was handed behaviour. over to its solicitors. In interviews with Ms Bailey had a bottle of beer the ‘Sunday Independent’ and RTÉ’s Sean in one hand and was “reach- O’Rourke, Ms Bailey said the height of what ing” for a friend’s bottle of she was asking for to cover her medical costs wine before finding herself on was €7,000. This has not been confirmed by Claim: Maria refused to say. The minister stepped away from ARIA the floor. Understandably she the hotel. Bailey (main); the firm after joining Cabinet in 2017. BAI- was “mortified” and jumped The Dean LEY’S up immediately. Legal advice hotel (top PIAB fall The next morning she left); Bailey from was in severe pain and was With the hotel referring the issue to its with Kate Before a personal injury case can proceed into grace brought to the private Beacon solicitors Lemans, Ms Bailey sought her own O’Connell the courts system, it must first be authorised by M has Hospital where she had a pel- legal representation. the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). and Simon been harder than any fall vic X-ray, but no bone injury It is unclear precisely when this happened, Coveney in In most cases, court can be avoided if the from a swing. In less than two was detected. However, it is but she chose Madigan Solicitors, the firm of the Dean PIAB can come up with an assessment of weeks, she has gone from rela- claimed she was diagnosed her Fine Gael colleague Josepha Madigan, (above); and damages acceptable to all parties. However, tively unknown backbench TD who is now the Culture Minister. Josepha this did not happen in Ms Bailey’s case. to infamy. Defending her decision to sue the hotel, Madigan (far An application was made to the PIAB in The Dún Laoghaire repre- She blamed the media, lawyers, the Ms Bailey told Sean O’Rourke: “Mine was right). February 2017 and it issued an authorisation to sentative has been the sub- Opposition – but never admitted legitimate. I took clear legal advice on this. MAIN PHOTO: proceed to court under Section 17 of the PIAB ject of radio sketches, online I am not a legal expert. I followed the legal GERRY MOONEY Act that July. Under the section invoked, there memes and pub gossip. to doing anything wrong herself advice that I got.” Whether Ms Madigan was are a number of possible technical reasons why Her nemesis, the swing in the person in the firm who initially advised the PIAB did not take carriage of the case. the Dean hotel, is likely to be her is still unclear. Ms Bailey would not be The section tends to be invoked in cases the most photographed object with soft-tissue injuries, drawn on this, while the minister has also where it may take longer than two years to in Ireland this weekend. contusions and concussion. There is growing sympathy She went on to receive den- both inside and outside of poli- tal treatment and required Laoghaire-Rathdown County ing questions in this contro- pare myself for it being out tics due to how the scandal has intense physiotherapy. Council with Josepha Madi- versy is whether Ms Madigan ‘I’m not there. And I was told ‘this will engulfed her career. According to the TD, all she gan, a partner in the firm. provided any advice on the a big not be public until you are No doubt when the dust set- ever wanted from the hotel Both women were elected case to her colleague before before the courts’,” she said. tles, Ms Bailey will reflect on was €6,000-€7,000 to cover to the Dáil in February 2016 she stepped away from the social It seems at that point the TD the numerous opportunities her medical costs because and seemed to be on a similar business in 2017. animal, was not overly perturbed by she had to make it all go away. “your private medical doesn’t career trajectory – until they Ms Bailey obviously had I rarely the idea of getting some atten- Based on the evidence, it was cover the entire medical costs”. took opposite sides in the Fine some awareness that the case tion – but obviously didn’t a grave error of judgement to Feeding the narrative that Gael leadership contest. would attract media interest go out’ grasp the PR disaster that was take the case in the first place. Fine Gael is out of touch with Ms Bailey backed Mr Cov- because she asked somebody being set in train. Nobody disputes that she the common people, she eney while Ms Madigan went on her legal team when the Perhaps that was because was injured – but she should added: “Everybody knows with Mr Varadkar. The lat- details would become public. somebody told her she had a have applied the logic her that.” Ms Bailey engaged ter was rewarded by being “I was told ‘you have nothing “clear-cut case”, part of which colleague Minister Heather Madigan Solicitors to pursue put on the fast-track to a to fear’, and I distinctly asked was a claim that the hotel was Humphreys expressed in the a compensation claim. At the Cabinet position. ‘when will this information negligent because the swing Dáil this week. time, she was serving on Dún One of the big outstand- become public?’ so I can pre- was “unsupervised”. IRISH INDEPENDENT Saturday, June 1, 2019 5 News to hotel before launching internal probe

It outlined how in addition to make the situation worse by tas this week, Ms Bailey failed efforts to convince businesses The internal review ordered This is likely to include medical costs, she was seeking publicly admonishing their to appear at two committee that action is being taken. by the Taoiseach is expected conversations with Culture damages for personal injury, colleague and said they should meetings she was due to chair. “It’s horrendous. Everybody to take around two weeks to Minister Josepha Madigan as loss, damage and inconven- show her “respect”. Housing Minister Eoghan is talking about the swing. complete. to whether she had any knowl- ience. But over the course of Murphy was quizzed at What was she thinking?” one It will be submitted directly edge of the case or ever offered Ms Bailey’s standing in the the week a string of min- the first of those meetings, minister said. to Mr Varadkar, who must then advice on it. party is at rock bottom after isters, including Paschal while Mr Varadkar was at the But the intense focus on decide whether to take action Ms Madigan’s family law almost a fortnight of contro- Donohoe, Simon Harris and second. the TD has garnered some himself or refer the find- firm, which she stepped away versy. Sources say there was , tried A number of ministers told sympathy too. A Fine Gael sen- ings to Fine Gael’s national from in 2017, submitted the “no clash” when she met Mr to distance the Government the Irish Independent the Gov- ator said the online abuse she executive. court papers on behalf of the Varadkar on Wednesday – but from Ms Bailey’s actions. ernment is feeling the heat has suffered “is outrageous”. Sources said senior coun- Dún Laoghaire TD which inac- he is known to be privately Despite saying in Mon- over rising insurance costs. “It’s gone too far. No mat- sel Mr Kennedy has been curately stated she was unable furious about the case. day’s radio interview that she The consensus is that Ms ter what she did or didn’t asked “to make all necessary to run for three months after He has asked TDs not to would be back in the Oireach- Bailey has totally undermined do, she doesn’t deserve that.” enquiries”. the fall.

Hotel swings ‘are back up and ready for the weekend’

Amy Molloy

SOPHIE’S in the Dean hotel has assured customers that its swings are going nowhere after a photograph circulated online showing them being removed. The swings – which have been the subject of much controversy after Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey brought a personal injury claim following a fall on a night out – were temporarily taken down yesterday. Speculation was rife on social media that the swings were being taken down for good. However, the popular bar and restaurant moved to quash the assess the seriousness of the injury, by which to instruct patrons how to safely use it. It contributory negligence. The defence filing said rumours, confirming point a claim would be statute barred. also contained the incorrect claim Ms Bailey ‘I am Ms Bailey had items in both hands, restricting they were removed as A further authorisation was issued by the was unable to run for three months after the not a her ability to balance and stopping her from part of a private hire PIAB in April 2018 under Section 46 of the incident. In reality, she completed a 10km race holding rope grips properly. event. PIAB Act. Again, there are a number of possible just three weeks later in under 54 minutes. legal “We have no intention reasons why this was issued. One possibility is The document outlined how she was seeking expert. I The motion of removing the swings, that the claim was initially inadvertently filed general damages for personal injury, loss, followed don’t worry,” Sophie’s against the incorrect entity. damage and inconvenience. In addition, she In April, the hotel issued a notice of motion said in a statement. was also seeking special damages, or out-of- the legal saying it would be applying for an order for “They’re back up and The summons pocket expenses, for her medical costs. These advice discovery of Ms Bailey’s medical and dental ready for you to swing were listed as hospital fees of €1,200, dental that I notes and records for the three years prior into the weekend.” A personal injury summons and indorsement fees of €280 and yet to be ascertained bills for got’ to the incident and arising from her visit to Ms Bailey this week of claim was filed with Dublin Circuit Civil physiotherapy and Pilates. accident and emergency the day after the fall. officially withdrew her Court in May 2018 by Madigans Solicitors. The The motion was granted on consent on compensation claim indorsement was drafted by a barrister and set The defence Monday, May 20, and the following day the against the Dean hotel. out what Ms Bailey was claiming as part of her Irish Independent published the details of the She had lodged a claim action. A robust defence was filed by the hotel in TD’s claim. on the basis that she This is the document in which she claimed November 2018. It accepted the swing was By Saturday, May 25, after days of controversy suffered injuries after the hotel was negligent because the swing unsupervised, but said any injury the TD may over the lawsuit, Ms Bailey announced she was falling backward off one was “unsupervised” and there were no signs have suffered was due to her own negligence or withdrawing it. of the swings in 2015.

The Dean had other ideas – but she went to ground. As Then we found that three details of what happened on unmitigated disaster. In Colleagues have scapegoated and lined up CCTV as part of the week went on and the sto- weeks after the fall she’d run that night. Government Buildings the her as the reason Fine Gael its defence. ries gathered more interest, Ms a 10km race in less than 54 Had she stopped there, the Taoiseach was caught totally underperformed in the local When the Irish Independent Bailey largely disengaged from minutes. “Not for me,” was her news cycle might have moved unawares. Social Protection elections. Close allies like Kate first revealed 11 days ago that party headquarters. response when it was put her on to focus on the results Minister , who O’Connell and Simon Coveney the case was listed before the Then on Friday with a lull in that this was an impressive of the local and European was lined up to be on the pro- jumped out of the way rather Circuit Court, where payouts the election coverage, the Irish time. The revelation was the elections. But instead she gramme afterwards, had to than to her defence. can be up to €60,000, Ms Bai- Independent began to investi- final straw for many in Fine popped up on RTÉ’s ‘Today respond on the hoof. And rather than a ‘kick to ley declined to comment. gate what Ms Bailey was up to Gael. Her claim had stated with Sean O’Rourke’ where A “tremendous pity” is how touch’ exercise, party sources The following day she made in the weeks after the incident. that she couldn’t run “at all” she told the presenter: “I’m she kindly summed up the say the internal review is a page one as details emerged of In the first week alone, she for three months. not a big social animal, I rarely now infamous interview. definite trawl for evidence of the hotel’s claim that she was appeared on TV and spoke Finally, Ms Bailey moved go out... I’m quite happy to sit Ms Bailey blamed the media, why she should be sanctioned. reckless or careless about her at two conferences. It wasn’t into crisis management mode, at home, pyjamas on, on the the internet, the lawyers and Like many before her, Ms own safety. At this stage senior actually very difficult to find starting with an interview couch with the kids but I went the Opposition – but never Bailey may well find a way figures in Fine Gael intervened this out because it was all on in the ‘Sunday Independent’ out that night.” once admitted to having done back but right now it looks like to try to get her to drop the case her Facebook. where she outlined some What followed was an anything wrong herself. a very long road.