'Fit' Bush vest pics a mistake, says Ahern
Television pictures of US President Bush in his vest which sparked a rash of security stories in the news media were actually shot by mistake by an Irish Government film crew, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said.
The pictures of the President at the window of his hotel room during a special EU/US summit meeting at Dromoland Castle, Co Clare, were flashed around the world after journalists covering the summit saw them in the media area near the Castle.
Mr Ahern told Sky’s Sunday With Adam Boulton programme: “The cameras were meant to have been off five minutes earlier.
“Certainly a camera crew that was working for us should not have been filming George Bush’s bedroom, I mean, that isn’t what we’re meant to be doing.”
He added: “In actual fact he looks a very fit man, probably far fitter than me, he goes out jogging and cycling everyday and he’s a very healthy looking fellow.”
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy said he totally rejected claims that the footage had broken strict security measures.
President Bush was staying at the castle during talks with the Taoiseach and the European Commission President Romano Prodi.
Commissioner Conroy said: “At no time was there a risk to the President as all personnel, including media, at Dromoland Castle had been security screened and vetted.”
The President’s visit saw the largest ever security operation in the State’s history with some 6,000 gardaí and Defence Forces staff posted to Co Clare.
