Gallagher denies cronyism in limousine business

Gallagher denies cronyism in limousine business 


Áine Ryan

AN ACHILL native and son of a former Fianna Fáil Minister Denis Gallagher has been the subject of a media storm over his chauffeur-driven limousine hire company in London.
Mr Terry Gallagher has denied cronyism and says he has been targeted by people who wish to embarrass Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue.
Last week a blogger, Gavin Sheridan highlighted the fact that Mr Gallagher’s company, Cartel Limousines, had charged almost €21,300 to transport the former Arts Minister on four trips.
This expense was incurred in a two-week period when the former minister made trips to the Cheltenham races and the St Patrick’s Day parade.
For a number of weeks O’Donoghue has been embroiled in a controversy over the exorbitant expenses incurred on trips abroad during his tenure as arts minister.
Meanwhile, Mr Gallagher has insisted, in a Sunday Times article, that he was not living off his Fianna Fáil connections and had nothing to hide.
He also revealed that he had contracts with a number of British government agencies.
Referring to the blogger’s revelations, he said: “[Sheridan] has dressed this up like we’re something out of the Sopranos. My father was a Fianna Fáil TD, so what? I have to earn a living. Are you not allowed to be in business if you’ve family in politics.”
The Irish embassy in London has confirmed that Cartel has provided a chauffeur service to it since the late 1980s and is satisfied with the service.
The late Denis Gallagher, a teacher by profession, was a member of Mayo County Council before being elected to the Dáil in 1977.