'Smear' row kicks off the election campaign

[David Cochrane]

THE election campaign kicked off last night with dramatic allegations of dirty tricks and smear campaigns.

Fianna Fail accused Fine Gael of trying to besmirch Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his former partner Celia Larkin by publicising claims that he took cash out of the country.

Mr Ahern vehemently denied a seven-year-old rumour that a briefcase containing money had been left in the care of a former Garda driver before being taken by Mr Ahern to Manchester in 1994. - Irish Independent

And from yesterday's Sunday Independent : Bertie, Celia and the stash of cash in the boot of his Mercedes

[Fine Gael for government]

Are people buying this ************************e that FF are spinning? Why can't Ahern come out and state categorically what this story is about. Why constantly pass the buck?

[Ireland2007]

Why has it taken seven years for this to become front page headlines? A month before the election.

[Maximus]

Why has it taken seven years for this to become front page headlines? A month before the election.

Because Higgins & Kenny sat on the story for 7 years, then conspired to maliciously leak it a month before the election in a desperate attempt to destroy Bertie’s reputation.

[jerryp]

What I can't understand is why they didn't leak it before the 2002 election.

[meriwether]

Why has it taken seven years for this to become front page headlines? A month before the election.

Because Higgins & Kenny sat on the story for 7 years, then conspired to maliciously leak it a month before the election in a desperate attempt to destroy Bertie’s reputation.

Boo Hoo.
And by the way, Bertie doesn't have a reputation to destroy.
He may continue to be popular with the voters, but that does not equal an untarnished reputation.
His reputation has been tarnished by his conduct when Haugheys bagman/FF financial controller, his behaviour towards corrupt individuals with FF in the 1990's, and his receiving of 50k from Businessmen in Manchester.
Its a matter of time.

[Ireland2007]

Why has it taken seven years for this to become front page headlines? A month before the election.

Because Higgins & Kenny sat on the story for 7 years, then conspired to maliciously leak it a month before the election in a desperate attempt to destroy Bertie’s reputation.

So if they sat on the story obviously there is a story? You're normally more careful TKWhiskers.

Each shower is as bad as the other.

[Blue Tide]

I thinks Fine Gael will try avoid been seen to be attempting to damage Ahern's reputation after the last incident. Fine Gael are trying to play th squeeky clean, family man card and this would be inconsistant with attempted character assasination. It was the sindo that brought this alegation to the public's attention not Fine Gael. Enda Kenn's spokesperson refused to comment. This is hardly an atttempt by Fine gael to damage the Taoiseach.

[White Horse]

Because Higgins & Kenny sat on the story for 7 years, then conspired to maliciously leak it a month before the election in a desperate attempt to destroy Bertie’s reputation.

If this is what Fine Gael has done, the country owes them thanks. The people need to be aware of these serious allegations by a respected Garda before making their decision.

[FLESHPRESSER]

Higgins and Kenny could have made this public in 2002 but they were waiting in the long grass to take out Michael Noonan. Entirely possible too, that Corcoran didn't overhear the conversation with Garda Fallon but that a tape has only lately been leaked to him. Bertie is facing death by a thousand cuts - a fate which will sell more papers.