Fine Gael TD 'Sorry' For Drunken Behaviour

An Opposition TD has apologised after allegedly verbally abusing a female member of the Gardaí who prevented him from driving in a drunken state.

Cork South West TD PJ Sheehan is reported to have threatened the garda after she prevented him from driving as he left the Dail following the last session before the lengthy summer recess.

The female garda said that, at 1am on July 8, Mr Sheehan was very intoxicated as he approached his car outside Leinster House. After she approached him, the garda said Mr Sheenan threatened that her actions would damage her future career.

Last night, the long-serving TD expressed his regret at the "embarrassment" he caused to his party, constituents and family.

Mr Sheehan said he wished to offer "a full and unreserved apology for my behaviour on July 8 in the environs of Leinster House.

"This behaviour was totally out of character in my 30 years in politics. In particular, I offer my deepest apologies to the gardai on duty that night, who were carrying out their duty in exemplary fashion.

"I also deeply regret the embarrassment this incident has caused the Fine Gael Party, its leader, my colleagues in the party, my constituents in Cork South-West and my wife and family. I intend writing a letter in the morning expressing my deep personal apologies and regrets to the gardai in question."

The incident happened last July, but his apology came last night in the wake of an outpouring of controversy over Brian Cowen's allegedly drunk or hungover interview on Morning Ireland last week.

(DW/GK)