Ahern to resign as Taoiseach and FF leader on May 6th
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern pictured on St Patricks Day. Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/ Getty Images
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Bertie Ahern, has sensationally announced that he will be resigning as Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader next month.
Mr Ahern made the surprise revelation during a hastily arranged press conference at government buildings this morning.
He admitted that his involvement with the Mahon Tribunal was overshadowing the work of the Government and said he would resign on May 6th, shortly after he gives his historic address to the US Congress.
The development comes amid ongoing controversy over contradictions in his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal about bank lodgements in the 1990s.
Mr Ahern has been under growing pressure since a former secretary at his constituency office admitted that she lodged Sterling on his behalf to accounts in the Irish Permanent.
He had previously told the tribunal that the lodgements were the proceeds of his pay cheques.
Last week, Green Party leader John Gormley and PD leader Mary Harney both called on Mr Ahern to clarify the matter and dispel public disquiet about the sums of money passing through his bank accounts in the 1990s.
However, several of his Fianna Fail cabinet colleagues have come out steadfast in his support, saying he should not have to explain matters until his next appearance at the tribunal.
