RACE FOR THE ARAS 18

HARSH criticisms were exchanged in the first presidential debate yesterday over the spending of the Aras.

Five of the candidates blasted President Michael D Higgins for allegedly exploiting public funds and failing to provide cost transparency in their first meeting before the election. Joan Freeman, Gavin Duffy, Peter Casey, Sean Gallagher and Liadh Ni Riada laid into the President on the RTE Radio One programme.

Mr Casey sparked the tirade by criticising Mr Higgins’ use of a Lear jet to fly to Belfast and London, with the bill totalling €49,000.

TOUGH TALK Presidential candidates at RTE studios yesterdayVIEWS Sean and Trish Gallagher with Tom Mcguire