Govt finally apologises for phone-tapping controversy
Fianna Fail has finally apologised for the phone-tapping scandal which rocked the state in the early 1980s and ultimately led to Charles Haughey’s downfall.
In 1981, Mr Haughey ordered his Justice Minister, Sean Doherty, to tap the phones of journalists Bruce Arnold, Geraldine Kennedy and Vincent Browne to find out who was leaking damaging government secrets to the press.
The practice was uncovered two years later, but for 10 years, Mr Haughey denied any involvement. However, in 1992, Sean Doherty revealed that Mr Haughey ordered the phone-taps and he was forced to resign.
Last night, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, apologised on behalf of Fianna Fail for invading the journalists’ privacy and for the unacceptable state interference.
