Niall Collins has admitted it was a 'mistake' to write a letter on behalf of a man awaiting sentence for drug dealing, and he said he won't do it again.
Fianna Fáil's Justice spokesman has come under fire since the letter was uncovered in the course of a sentencing hearing in Limerick this week.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny described it as a 'direct intervention' in the administration of justice, but Deputy Collins insists he respects the independence of any sentencing judge.
Speaking to Newstalk's Pat Kenny show (presented this week by economist David McWilliams) this morning he revealed it is not the first time he has been asked for support in such a case, but the circumstances of the children affected by this one motivated him to act:
Meanwhile, Independent TD Shane Ross used Newstalk's Breakfast show to call for Deputy Collins to step aside from his justice portfolio. He said it would be 'better if he took a rest, or another job' because he has damaged his credibility in the area:
Jobs minister Richard Bruton earlier said Deputy Collins had made a "serious error" by asking a judge for leniency.
Speaking to reporters prior to Mr Collins' interview with Newstalk, Minister Bruton has said politicians should never interfere with the judicial process:
Niall Collins issued a statement yesterday, in response to the scandal. In it he wrote, “I fully understand and respect the absolute independence of any sentencing judge in making their decision based on the facts put before them during any trial. If my actions suggest anything other than total respect for judicial independence that is a source of genuine regret”.
“To be very clear I wrote the letter outlining the exceptional circumstances of this family as the four children lost their mother through suicide earlier this year and I truly believed that the Judge should be made aware of these tragic circumstances so that they could be taken into consideration when sentencing. My decision was based solely on compassion and concern for the four children. Sentencing in this case has been deferred until October and I do not intend to speak about it any further.”
