Barry Cowen: Irish minister sacked over drink-drive row

The Fianna Fáil TD stated he was “disenchanted” with the choice.

He had been on the centre of an argument round a drink driving ban imposed in September 2016.

In an announcement issued following his termination on Tuesday night, Mr Cowen stated he wished to emphasize that “at no time did I try to evade” the Garda checkpoint.

He was stopped on the checkpoint and breathalysed on his approach residence to Co Offaly from Dublin after the All-Eire soccer last 4 years in the past.

Mr Cowen served a three-month disqualification from driving on the time.

On Tuesday, Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin stated he “terminated” Mr Cowen’s appointment as a member of presidency.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin was spekaing in Irish parliament on Tuesday

Talking throughout Leaders’ Questions within the Dáil on Tuesday, Mr Martin stated that Mr Cowen had “adamantly denied any try to keep away from a checkpoint”, in accordance with RTÉ Information.

The taoiseach stated: “It is a very unhappy day for Barry, his household and for me. He has been a really dedicated public consultant, very diligent and really devoted.

“Over the course of the final 10 days he has been the topic of serious criticism and condemnation for a highway visitors offence that passed off in 2016.”

The taoiseach stated he had seen a garda report elevating “further points requiring additional rationalization”.

‘Untenable’

Mr Martin added: “I made this clear to him (Mr Cowen) and gave him area in the present day to contemplate the matter additional.

“Nevertheless he has determined that he’s not ready to handle this allegation publicly and won’t make any additional assertion or reply any questions on this situation on this home.

“This resolution has created a state of affairs the place respectable doubts and questions are being raised and authorities colleagues are anticipated to handle these and that is merely untenable.”

Mr Cowen stated he had been knowledgeable of the taoiseach’s resolution by cellphone.

In his assertion, issued on Twitter, he added: “Sadly the choice of the taoiseach to take away me from workplace, when he supported me this afternoon within the Dail, has undermined and probably prejudiced my entitlement to truthful course of.”