Clare Senator declares he's 'never been in the clutches of Russia'

A number of senators, prompted by a declaration from Clare Senator Timmy Dooley, declared to the Seanad that they have "never been in the clutches of Russia".

It follows reports from The Sunday Times last week that Russian intelligence used a “honeytrap” to recruit an Irish politician as an agent during the Brexit talks, with one of the aims being to undermine relations between Britain, Ireland and the EU.

The paper also reported that while the Irish military and security services identified the potential agent, code-named Cobalt, they remain in the Oireachtas.

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Senator Dooley raised the matter, saying some rumours had been circulating that members have been involved with Russia and that there "may or may not be a spy in our midst."

The Fianna Fail senator was issued a warning by Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer to "be careful", but contined on, replying that "I’m around a while, I can manage this one."

"In order to avoid any potential stain on this House I suggest that member would voluntarily make a statement that they are not the subject of any investigation or that they have never been in the clutches of Russia," Senator Dooley continued.

"Before I sit down, I declare that I am not such a person. I hope everybody will use the opportunity to declare that they are not a Russian spy," the Clare senator concluded.

Cathaoirleach Buttimer reminded the members of the Seanad that "nobody has been mentioned", and that he was "not being windy, as accused in the newspapers today, by trying to protect all of us and the House".

Like Senator Dooley, I am not one of those people either," he stated, as laughter rose throughout the chamber.

Fine Gael Maria Byrne, from Limerick, stood to speak after her Clare colleague and laughingly declared that she too was not a Russian spies.

Wexford Senator Malcolm Byrne also declared he isn't a Russian spy and said he had no doubt that Senator Dooley isn't a spy either. "He and Deputy Cathal Crowe are spending so much time keeping an eye on each other."

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