*Photograph: John Mangan

Kilmihil GP, Dr Michael Harty has issued an apology for attending a controversial Oireachtas Golf Society in Galway this week.

Dr Harty was among over 80 people who attended the sitting in Clifden on Wednesday which is now the subject of a Garda investigation having breached COVID-19 regulations regarding the amount of people permitted at an indoor gathering.

An independent Clare TD from 2016 to 2020, the Limerick native served as Chairperson of the Dรกil Health committee during this time.

After details first emerged from The Irish Examiner over the event, Dara Calleary (FF) has resigned as Minister for Agriculture with Senator Jerry Buttimer (FG) stepping down as Leas Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. Ex RTร‰ broadcaster Sean Oโ€™Rourke was listed as being at the same table as Dr Harty.

On Saturday, Michael confirmed in a statement that he attended the dinner on Wednesday and called the decision โ€œa serious lack of judgement and concentration on my part for which I take full responsibility.

He stated, โ€œI wish to apologise unreservedly to my profession, my patients, the people of Clare and the wider community. To attend this dinner showed very poor deliberation and leadership. I put myself in a situation which breeched Public Health guidelines. I attended the event without thinking or applying common sense and should have realised that such a gathering was not appropriate in the midst of a pandemic. I again take full personal responsibility for what was a clear breech of Covid 19 pandemic guidelines and recommendations from NPHET and the Government. I acknowledge the hurt and distress my actions have caused.

โ€œMy attendance undermined the commitment and sacrifice that everyone has made in controlling the spread of Covid 19 while keeping our population safe, reopening our schools and trying to keep the economy functioning. This was a breech of social cohesion and trust. The lesson for myself is to critically think about every situation I am presented with and to apply the principals and guidelines of Public Health advise and to act accordinglyโ€.

Harty said that his attendance at the dinner โ€œdoes not reflect how I normally conduct myself or practice my profession. Since the onset of the pandemic I have advocated for and supported all measures to control the spread of the virus. This personal lapse of mine has been a serious breech of my adherence to the public health principles of keeping our population safe. I can assure you this will not happen againโ€.

Related News

john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
banner plaza 1
Planning system 'abused' as Uisce ร‰ireann pause works on Supermac's Plaza over judicial review
1 Cutting of Ribbon CI O'Flynn Bench-2
Stone benches unveiled in Eyre Square in memory of O'Gorman & O'Flynn
garda checkpoint ennis 10-04-20 3
Scariff checkpoint uncovers motorist's claim that his car is registered to six year old daughter
Latest News
banner plaza 1
Planning system 'abused' as Uisce ร‰ireann pause works on Supermac's Plaza over judicial review
1 Cutting of Ribbon CI O'Flynn Bench-2
Stone benches unveiled in Eyre Square in memory of O'Gorman & O'Flynn
clarecastle v whitegate 04-10-25 colin brigdale 1
Stig hitting top gear as Magpies make final push for promotion
thurles cbs v st flannans college 01-02-25 harry doherty 4
St Flannan's & St Joseph's Tulla come from behind to force draws in Harty Cup first round
truagh clonlara v scariff ogonnelloe 28-10-23 ellen horgan 1
Horgan hopeful of more success with Truagh/Clonlara
Premium
Horgan hopeful of more success with Truagh/Clonlara
'There was no getting past our defence' - Kilmihil brought different attitude says captain Currane
Scariff checkpoint uncovers motorist's claim that his car is registered to six year old daughter
'No better feeling that meeting the lads three times a week & going to the trenches' - Corofin captain Cahill
McNamara keeps ร‰ire ร“g trucking along to new heights

Advertisement

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.