Fuel smuggler keeps tight-lipped over which party got €20,000
CONVICTED fuel smuggler Hugh Morgan's company Morgan Fuels gave €31,198 in political donations in the past decade, including more than €11,000 to Fianna Fail.
Company records show that Morgan Fuels (Ireland) made a further €19,850 in 'political' donations in 2005, without specifying which party it contributed to.
Despite a request to do so, Mr Morgan has not revealed the recipient of the money.
The businessman caused controversy during last year's presidential election with his claim that he donated €5,000 to Fianna Fail through independent candidate Sean Gallagher to attend a 2008 dinner hosted by then Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Mr Gallagher denied he handled any such cheque from Mr Morgan.
Mr Morgan also donated to FF in 2001. Last year it emerged he was renting an office premises in Dundalk to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and this week it was revealed that Mr McGuinness' election campaign spent almost €3,000 on fuel at Mr Morgan's garages.
Last night a Sinn Fein spokesman said it had never received any political donations from Mr Morgan or his company.
- Cormac McQuinn
Irish Independent
