O'Donoghue asked for two tickets to Paris rugby final
The Irish Sports Council says it gave the tickets to Mr O?Donoghue "in recognition of his efforts on behalf of Irish sport". Photo: Tom Burke
Wednesday November 04 2009
JOHN O'DONOGHUE asked the Irish Sports Council for two tickets to the Rugby World Cup final, it was revealed last night.
Mr O'Donoghue was Ceann Comhairle at the time, and had ceased being minister for arts, sports and tourism for five months. He offered to pay for the tickets but the council gave them to him for free in recognition of his efforts on behalf of Irish sport.
The cost of the pair of tickets, for Mr O'Donoghue -- and it is thought his wife, Kate Ann -- came to nearly €1,000. The tickets were ultimately paid for by the taxpayer.
Late last night the Irish Sports Council admitted to the Irish Independent: "John O'Donoghue contacted the chairman of the Irish Sports Council, Ossie Kilkenny, to ask if two tickets for the 2007 Rugby World Cup final could be reserved on his behalf."
The glittering showpiece, between ultimate winners South Africa and England, was held in Paris on October 20 that year.
The Irish Sports Council -- which received more than €51m in government funding last year -- secured and paid for the tickets. It said last night: "Mr O'Donoghue offered to pay for the tickets but the Council declined his offer."
A spokesman for the Council offered the explanation: "It was decided to offer him the tickets on a complimentary basis in recognition of his efforts on behalf of Irish sport."
Irish Independent
