PRESS RELEASE

31/03/2005

Kelleher questions SF’s bid to court ‘Daily Ireland’ investors

Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD, the deputy Government chief whip, has questioned Sinn Féin leader Caoimghín Ó Caoláin’s decision to canvass investors for the newly launched ‘Daily Ireland’ newspaper.

‘Why would a quality daily newspaper enlist the Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil to secure investments for its publication? And by agreeing to canvass potential investors for money, is Caoimghín Ó Caoláin attempting to place ‘Daily Ireland’ firmly in the Sinn Féin supporters’ camp?

‘I strongly question the nature of this obviously cosy relationship between a newspaper and a political party,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

He said the editor of ‘Daily Ireland’, Mairtín Ó Muilleoir, has consistently stated his newspaper is not a Sinn Féin mouthpiece.

‘I would ask him, then, to explain his request of Sinn Féin that the party gathers investors to fund his newspaper.

‘I would ask Caoimghín Ó Caoláin to explain his very avid pursuit of investors on behalf of ‘Daily Ireland’. Does he wish to add another publication to his party’s propaganda machine,’ concluded Deputy Kelleher.

ENDS