Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Phil Hogan (file photo)

Phil Hogan 'left Kildare two days before localised lockdown', says spokesperson

The EU Commissioner is based in Belgium, which is not on Ireland’s travel ‘green list’.

LAST UPDATE | 21 Aug 2020

EU TRADE COMMISSIONER Phil Hogan left Kildare two days before a localised lockdown came into effect in the county preventing people leaving, a spokesperson has claimed. 

Hogan tested negative for Covid-19 after arriving into Ireland and initially spent time in Kildare before staying in Kilkenny, the spokesperson for the minister said. 

The comments about Hogan’s movements come after the commissioner was among a number of politicians who attended an Oireachtas Golf Society event in Cliden, Co Galway. 

Hogan has claimed that he obeyed the government’s quarantine rules before attending the event. 

The golf dinner was attended by more than 80 people and has led to the resignation of Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary this morning.

Eighty-one people are said to have attended the event, with the room divided into two. The Irish Examiner, which first reported the story, alleged that up to 10 people were seated at tables.

Acting chief medical officer Dr. Ronan Glynn said this evening that it “seems clear” that the event did not adhere to public health guidance

Former Fine Gael minister Hogan, who is Ireland’s representative in the European Commission and is based in Brussels, is facing pressure over his attendance at the event.

There have been questions over whether Hogan restricted movements before attending the event after travelling from Belgium, which is not on Ireland’s travel ‘green list’ – as required under HSE guidelines.

In a statement on Twitter this morning, he said he was assured by the organisers that the arrangements in place complied with the government’s public health guidelines.

Phil Hog Twitter Twitter

The Commissioner also said that he restricted movements for two weeks after entering the country.

“Prior to the event, I had complied fully with the government’s quarantine requirements, having been in Ireland since late July,” he added.

There have also been questions about whether Hogan had left for the event from Kildare in contravention of Covid-19 restrictions.

In a further statement this evening, a spokesperson for Hogan said that the commissioner returned to Ireland at the end of July and went to Kildare, but left two days before a localised lockdown was introduced on 7 August.  

The spokesperson said that Hogan left Kildare on 5 August for a hospital appointment.

“In the course of that appointment, the commissioner tested negative for Covid,” the spokesperson said. 

At the conclusion of that appointment, he went to Co Kilkenny for a period of convalescence and this is where he completed his period of quarantine.

“He travelled to the golf event in Co Galway directly from Co Kilkenny. Thus, there is no question of him having breached the local lockdown requirements which continue to apply in Co Kildare.”

‘Good faith’ 

A spokeswoman for the European Commission earlier told Reuters that Hogan attended the event “in good faith”. 

“He attended this event on the clear understanding that the organisers and the hotel concerned had been assured by the Irish hotels Federation, that the arrangements proposed to be put in place for the event, were or would be in compliance with the government’s guidelines,” Reuters reports the spokeswoman as saying. 

The news organisation said the spokeswoman did not respond when asked if Hogan would resign as trade commissioner. 

Fine Gael Senator and leader of the Seanad Regina Doherty called the event a “stunning lapse of judgement” and called on Hogan to apologise to the public for attending.

“The very least that needs to be done is a recognition that it was wrong and it shouldn’t have happened,” she told RTÉ radio. “What I would love to see is an apology.”

Gardaí this morning confirmed they have launched an investigation into the event.

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy and PA 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
167 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute art vandelay
    Favourite art vandelay
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 7:51 PM

    The only tip you need on Valentines day is a hard one..

    168
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fionán Lynch
    Favourite Fionán Lynch
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 10:00 PM

    Your profile pic really makes this comment.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 8:29 PM

    4 tips:
    1 – same/similar sense of humour.
    2 – at least one (preferably more) common interest.
    3 – undeniable chemistry.
    4 – twinkling eyes.

    My recipe for the perfect one.
    Met mine 35 years ago.
    Married him 30 years ago, and he still has the twinkling eyes.

    120
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jean Paul Valley
    Favourite Jean Paul Valley
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 8:48 PM

    He might want to get those checked out. Could be cataracts.

    256
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute N O'C
    Favourite N O'C
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 9:17 PM

    He’s got 4 twinkling eyes???

    65
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 9:29 PM

    Haha only since he needed glasses N O’C ! – now I’m bewitched and bedazzled.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 9:31 PM

    Shhhhhhh Sean.……
    (It’s probably why he thinks I’m still beautiful !!!)

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 9:38 PM

    Sorry not Sean….Jean, damn eyesight.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mary jones
    Favourite mary jones
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 11:05 PM

    Molly that’s beautiful. Lucky you.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tammylee Murphy
    Favourite Tammylee Murphy
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 9:56 PM

    has he still go hair though?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergal Reid
    Favourite Fergal Reid
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 7:53 PM

    Season 2 of House of Cards airs on Valentine’s Day. What more do we need?

    118
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tríona Barrow
    Favourite Tríona Barrow
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 12:39 AM

    Would stay inside all day to watch it if I could, but himself wants to watch the Lego Movie!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Doheny
    Favourite Dermot Doheny
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 6:26 AM

    Seriously good flick to be fair!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Drew Clarke
    Favourite Drew Clarke
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 8:07 PM

    Most people I know think Valentines day is a load of nonsense either way. Neither my partner or I ever do anything whatsoever to mark Valentines day. Most years it passes without us even noticing.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Nolan
    Favourite Andrew Nolan
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 10:44 PM

    Well done you’ve marked it this year by reading this article.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mary jones
    Favourite mary jones
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 11:06 PM

    I keep referring to it as Halloween! Don’t know why!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cat Malogen
    Favourite Cat Malogen
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 8:21 PM

    Dont mix up the wife and girlfriends card after sealing :-)…or youll end up like that chillean miner a few years back…..hoping the ground will open back up again….literally

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Name Change Test
    Favourite Name Change Test
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 11:39 PM

    Coppers is on Harcourt St, not Leeson St

    How am I the first person to notice this!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jean Paul Valley
    Favourite Jean Paul Valley
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 11:58 PM

    You managed to get to the end of it?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Eales
    Favourite Simon Eales
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 12:37 AM

    If you really love someone you’d make a special effort on any day of the year, not wait for a tacky, expensive, over-commercialised day dictated to you by florists, chocolatiers and greeting card companies. It’s just a profit-making scam to fill the gap between Christmas and Easter (or Paddy‘s Day here).

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzanne Tully
    Favourite Suzanne Tully
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 2:09 AM

    Ok I’m a girl / woman ! I think (hope) ;) and I think valentines is a load of crap! Just another day that’s commercialised! But I have just won a meal for two and a bottle of wine in the local, so I will certainly be celebrating it this year!!! It’d be rude not to :)

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Eales
    Favourite Simon Eales
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 12:42 AM

    Anyone who throws a hissy fit because they expect a valentines card or a present from their other half frankly deserves to be single. Or shot by Al Capone.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maria Hickey-Fagan
    Favourite Maria Hickey-Fagan
    Report
    Feb 12th 2014, 11:04 PM

    Valentine’s Day me hoop! I know women who would actually throw a major strop if they didn’t get a card from their other halves. What’s that all about?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BlueSkyThinking
    Favourite BlueSkyThinking
    Report
    Feb 13th 2014, 2:15 AM

    Sorry to be pedantic but Thai people don’t use chopsticks (fork and spoon traditionally). The first restaurant I took my wife on was a Thai as we both love SE Asian food – things seemed to have worked out.

    14
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds