17th October 2005

 

Dear Editor,

 

The lurid article on your "Agenda" page of Monday, 17th October, is a further example of the Irish Times' descent into cheap tabloid sensationalism.

 

Clearly the author has had sight of some sort of document.  I want to make it clear at the outset that whatever documents have been produced by the United States Authorities, neither myself or my legal team have had as yet received any information from the US authorities to set out the nature of the allegations against me.

 

I know that some people have had sight of a document which purports to give a chronological account of alleged meetings, trips and visits to various countries worldwide.  No evidence is offered of any crime or wrongdoing and it is very much designed to create a climate which will, to say the least, blacken my name in the public mind.

 

The media are playing a part in this process and the use of North Korean poster on your Agenda page is designed to bolster up the image of North Korea and Sean Garland as put forward by the United States.

 

As of today, 17th Octoberm I am still in discussions with my legal representatives on what is, for my family, myself and Party, a most serious matter.  Again I wish to strenuously deny all of these allegations which stem from a very dubious source.  I fully intend to contest all of these allegations in court.  My ability to do so however is hampered by lack of information from US authorities and much misinformed and prejudicial media comment of which your Agenda piece is but one major example of trial by media.

 

In the meantime, I am awaiting the outcome of certain legal procedures and I would expect the media to do the same.

 

Yours,