Old rumour about Haughey resurfaces

Madd Finn · 22-09-2014 11:50am #1

One of the famous incidents in the late Charles Haughey's career was his budget speech in 1970 that he never delivered.

He couldn't because he was in hospital with severe injuries having "fallen off his horse" at his estate that morning.

Of course, Haughey being the kind of lad he was, there were many rumours at the time that the injuries were caused not by a riding accident (well not that kind) but by a damned good kicking administered by somebody with a grudge. The most likely explanation being that it was the husband or boyfriend of some bint that Haughey was knobbing at the time.

More sinister overtones emerged shortly afterwards when the Arms Crisis blew up and Haughey had questions to answer, some of which he apparently answered from his hospital bed. Maybe it wasn't an irate cuckold; maybe it was somebody altogether more serious.

These allegations have arisen again following the publication of a biography of TK Whitaker, the famous civil servant now 97 years old, who would have known Haughey as well as all the major political movers and shakers of the time.

They have of course been denounced by Haughey's family.

Wonder how the forthcoming RTE biopic with Aidan Gillen and Nidge will cover this one.

Fr Tod Umptious · 22-09-2014 10:01pm

T.K. Whitaker is still alive ?

Going Forward · 23-09-2014 10:44am

Wasn't this allegation published years ago?

Itsdacraic · 23-09-2014 10:46am

Going Forward wrote: »

Wasn't this allegation published years ago?

Yes, that's why he said "resurfaces" :rolleyes:

alastair · 23-09-2014 11:01am

It seems the publishers screwed up and attributed the claim to Whitaker, when it was in should have been referencing Jack Lynch. So, no new evidence/insights there.

Going Forward · 23-09-2014 11:04am

Itsdacraic wrote: »

Yes, that's why he said "resurfaces" :rolleyes:

The IT journalist offers the piece as if the allegation was "news" making no reference to the fact that this is not the first time the allegation was published.

Did Gene Kerrigan write about this previously?

conorh91 · 23-09-2014 8:34pm

Madd Finn wrote: »

The most likely explanation being that it was the husband or boyfriend of some bint that Haughey was knobbing at the time.

The usual claim is that Haughey was involved with the IRA, and there was some kind of internal strife.

It's possible I am misreading your post, and that you already acknowledge that as the likely explanation. Apologies for stating the obvious, if that's the case.

It would be interesting to see the surviving Haughey family take some kind of defamation action regarding that claim, given recent developments in that area.

Old rumour about Haughey resurfaces

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