Cassidy apologises for hurt caused by golf dinner; will co-operate with garda investigation
Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, has today written to the Secretary of the Oireachtas Golf Society, asking for the society in its current form to be wound up and renamed.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl said: “While recognising that the Golf Society operates independently of the Oireachtas, I write to suggest that, in the aftermath of this week’s events in Clifden, the society as it is currently structured and named be wound up as a matter of urgency.
He added: “This I believe is a necessary action for the society in the aftermath of this week’s events. The event has seriously undermined and damaged public confidence in the Oireachtas and in what I hope is our mutual commitment to public health and to the people we serve.”
Minister for Agriculture, Dara Calleary, resigned this morning after it was revealed he was amongst the 81 people who attended a golf dinner in the Station House Hotel in Clifden, in breach of government public health guidelines set by his own cabinet in the face of coronavirus.
The outing was organised by former Westmeath TD and senator, Donie Cassidy, as a tribute to the late MEP, Mark Killilea.
This evening, Donie Cassidy, the president of the Oireachtas Golf Society and vice president of the Fianna Fail party, issued a statement in defence of the event going ahead, to the Westmeath Examiner newspaper.
He claims that Wednesday night's Oireachtas Golf Society dinner was held "under the department guidelines confirmed to us on Wednesday morning by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF)".
Mr Cassidy said that the event that was attended by 81 people was held in two rooms following advice from the hotels body.
"I would like to apologise unreservedly on behalf of the Oireachtas Golf Society Committee for the hurt caused. It was not our intention to disregard Government or Health authorities advice," Mr Cassidy said.
"I have been legally advised not to make any further comment at this time. I confirm that I will fully cooperate with the garda investigation," he concluded.