6 August 1997
By Tom Shiel
Controversial former Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey has turned down an opportunity to be honoured once again by the people of his native County Mayo where he was born in the 1920's.
Mr. Haughey, a former Mayoman of the Year, has made it clear he won't be attending the function for Mayo Persons of the Year planned for Pontoon Bridge Hotel in September.
There had been much speculation as to whether Mr. Haughey would accept the invitation given the controversy in which he has been embroiled of late over Ben Dunne's generous payments.
His decision not to attend the "Celebration of Achievement" night, at which previous winners of the Mayo Person of the Year will be honoured, has been relayed by letter to the organising committee which is chaired by Ms Brid O'Connell of Swinford.
NO COMMENT
Ms O'Connell said yesterday: "I have no comment to make on the fact that Mr. Haughey won't be attending. We don't want to single out individual winners of the Mayo Person Award. The important thing in all of this is that Rehab, as a major charity, will be benefitting from the function".
Present Mayoman of the Year Kevin Bourke came up with the idea of inviting the previous winners to a gala night. The proceeds from the venture will go towards Mayo Rehab.
If Mr. Haughey had accepted the invitation he would have met on the night such previous winners of the Mayo Person Award as Paul O'Dwyer of New York; Actor Mick Lally; Dr. Seamus Caulfield and EU Commissioner, Padraig Flynn.
Many former Mayo Persons of the Year have passed away since the award was inaugurated back in the sixties. These include: former MEP Sean Flanagan; Journalist, John Healy; Rosary Priest , Fr. Patrick Peyton and Monsignor James Horan.
