Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not standing by any assertion by Deputy Cowen in respect of the Garda statement. Does Deputy McDonald understand that? I am not standing by the assertion in relation to the Garda record on the file. That is the point. I read the file yesterday. I spoke to Deputy Cowen the night before. There is a process in place and I do not want to prejudice it, but I have my own view on it. I did not have that perspective a week ago. The Deputy needs to understand that it is great to be making the assertions but I am deeply conscious that it is a very difficult day for the Cowen family and for Barry and his family. I have to put that on the record. I have never sought in any shape or form to undermine any garda or to undermine the accuracy or the credibility of any garda statement on the file. I only saw it for the first time yesterday morning. I had a discussion with Deputy Cowen the evening before that. I drew my own conclusions and that is why I felt it needed a Dáil statement.

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