Tanaiste Leo Varadkar of accused Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty of having “abused and mistreated” a member of An Garda Siochana during a row in the Dail this afternoon.
In explosive scenes between the pair, the Fine Gael leader hit back at the Donegal TD after “cheap shots” were exchanged during a debate on the cost of living crisis in the chamber.
Mr Doherty had referred to Mr Varadkar’s recent garda investigation, which the DPP is currently considering, over a proposed GP contract which Mr Varadkar leaked to a rival group.
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The Fine Gael leader has insisted repeatedly that he has not committed a crime.
Mr Doherty said: “I really thought someone in which the DPP is currently assessing if they'll prosecute you under the corruption act would be more humble.”
Mr Varadkar hit back and said: “And it’s particularly strange coming from you because you were prosecuted.
“You abused, mistreated An Garda Síochána.
"For that you were prosecuted, you were found guilty.
“Yes you got away without a conviction because of your age at the time.
“But you were actually prosecuted. You were arrested.
“That’s what happened to you.
"And in your party there are a huge number of convicted criminals - in your party and wider Republican family.
"Whether that is tax dodgers like Slab Murphy - a good Republican, according to Mary Lou McDonald, a good republican... a tax dodger.
“People are convicted for murder.
“We know what your party's attitude is to rape and paedophiles and what you have done in relation to that."
It’s understood Mr Varadkar was referring to an incident when Mr Doherty was 21 years old and had been previously reported when the case came before the courts in 1999.
Both Sinn Fein and a spokesman for Pearse Doherty have been contacted for comment.
Mr Doherty had referenced a Fine Gael dinner hosted by the Tánaiste on Wednesday to celebrate a decade in power.
He said: "So whilst you toasted your own success in Government last night, the reality is that many families out there are being pushed to the brink.
“And let me tell you this Tánaiste, the last thing they are thinking about is raising a glass to Fine Gael's success."
Mr Varadkar replied: "That was a cheap shot.
“I hosted a dinner last night to thank colleagues for their years of service and there was no public money involved. You host dinners in America.
“You charge people $1,000 a plate to attend and your party leader flies first class to get there.
“That's what you do in the middle of a cost of living crisis. And I believe that she's about to announce another first class trip to Australia."
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