Minister Marian Harkin says she ‘wouldn’t get into a car’ with convicted official driver if she felt unsafe

Ms Harkin’s recently appointed ministerial driver Michael Gaffney was previously twice banned from the roads for drink-driving.

Speaking to Niall Delaney on Ocean FM, Ms Harkin defended her decision to appoint Mr Gaffney as a ministerial driver. The Sligo-Leitrim TD is a member of the Regional Independent Group who are supporting the Government.

She said: “I know Michael for many many years. I know he is a decent person and a suitable person. I wouldn’t get into a car with Michael or with anyone else who drives me all around the country if I didn’t feel safe and I do. I wouldn’t take that risk, nobody would.”

Mr Gaffney, who earns almost €44,000 a year for the driver’s position, was six times over the limit when he was stopped at Aghadark, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, in November 2017. Mr Gaffney, with an address in ­Alderford, Ballyfarnon, Co Roscommon, was banned from driving for three years for this offence. He was also convicted of drink-driving in 2011 in Navan, Co Meath, and had received a three-year driving ban for that offence.

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Ms Harkin. a junior minister at the Department of Education, also criticised the publication of the Sunday Independent story which included the details of Mr Gaffney’s offences.

“His actions in breaking the law were dangerous and extremely serious but Michael has battled his addiction,” Ms Harkin said. “And like most recovering alcoholics his sobriety was hard won, but still he has successfully turned his life around since 2019, and now he wakes up on Sunday and sees part of his life on the front page of a national newspaper.

“I have his permission to say he so regrets what has happened about the drink-driving offences but he has rebuilt his life. He has tried to regain trust. What he told me is that despite the publicity he has climbed higher mountains than this already.”