Republican News · Thursday 3 October 2002

Mara must resign from Fianna Fáil

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has said it is not enough that PJ Mara resigns his post with the Fianna Fáil Nice campaign, but that he must now resign any office he holds in Fianna Fáil. Last week, the second interim report of the Flood Tribunal cited him for failing to cooperate with its proceedings. He was particularly criticised for failing to disclose his offshore bank account in the Isle of Man.

"It is only fitting that Mr Mara also resign from any office he holds in Fianna Fail and that he provides a complete explanation of why he failed to cooperate fully with the Flood Tribunal and deals more fully with the conflicts of evidence outlined in the Flood report," said Crowe. "Mara's resignation is not just an indictment of his wrongdoing and deception, it also reflects very seriously on Fianna Fáil and their record in office.

"PJ Mara's national role within Fianna Fáil over the last 30 years has meant that he has been at the centre of party strategy and policy. Like Ray Burke, it was only when the case against him was overwhelming that he was forced from office and as in their stubborn support for Ray Burke, the leadership of Fianna Fáil have failed to ensure that those who hold public office for the party adhere to the highest standards in public life."