February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The CPI is set to close at the end of this month after its main sponsor, Irish-American philanthropist Chuck Feeney, withdrew funding at the request of the Irish Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
McDowell is now under pressure to resign after what opposition figures described as a political witch-hunt against the CPI’s executive director, Frank Connolly.
Although Irish authorities have declined to level any charges against Connolly, McDowell used parliamentary privilege to claim he was involved in a complicated IRA plot involving leftist Colombian rebels. McDowell also selected documents that formed part of a confidential police file and gave them to the Irish Independent, in the hope of undermining Connolly and the CPI.
McDowell claimed he was entitled to do this because he believed in the plot, and that it represented a serious threat to the Irish state. This was dismissed by opposition figures, however, who pointed out that even if it were true, the IRA stood itself down some months ago and cannot be regarded as a threat.
Sources say several of the Irish-American business people were “surprised and disappointed” by McDowell’s behavior, and concerned that the CPI would be forced to close.
“Michael McDowell appears to have abused his position. This is precisely why Ireland needs independent watchdog groups such as the CPI,” one business source said.
The industrialists, at least eight in number, include several with significant investments on both sides of the Atlantic. All have proven quite generous in supporting Irish-American and charitable causes in recent years.
They declined to be identified, with one source saying they would “rather stay behind the scenes for the moment,” monitoring the situation as they plan a possible rescue package.
Meanwhile McDowell faces a storm of protest in the days ahead, with legal experts saying he may have acted illegally in his pursuit of Connolly and the CPI.
Several Fianna F_il backbenchers are said to be uncomfortable about McDowell’s hectoring personal style, believing he exercises too much influence over Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the rest of the Cabinet.