Wednesday, 28 December 2022 10:45
By Clem Ryan
Zimbabwean PM Mugage Invited to Castlemartin House
According to a report in today's Irish Examiner, by reporter Sean McCárthaigh, businessman Tony O’Reilly allowed the controversial African leader, Robert Mugabe, to stay in his luxury country house in Co. Kildare in 1992 in order to allow the Zimbabwean president to get over the death of his first wife.
Newly-released State papers show the well-known former Ireland and Lions rugby international offered Mugabe the use of his 18th-century mansion in Castlemartin, Kilcullen, as well as his private jet to allow the president "a relaxing break".
Files show officials believed there was a case of “something more” for Mugabe as he was “a political figure of international stature….and it would be important to avoid possibly giving offence”.
According to the Irish Examiner report, Files show Mugabe knew Mr O’Reilly from the businessman’s regular trips to Zimbabwe and the Irish entrepreneur had suggested the visit to Ireland when they met shortly after the death of Mugabe’s wife.
Mr O’Reilly had also offered Mugabe the use of two five-star hotels in which he had a shareholding at the time, Ashford Castle, in Mayo and Dromoland Castle, County Clare.
€6m Legal Bill Adds To Rising Costs At National Children’s Hospital
Horse Believed To Have Been Driven At Gardaí During Citywest Riots Found Collapsed And Injured
Kildare County Council Announces Climate Week 2025
Man (20s) Seriously Injured During Alleged Assault In Kildare Town Was Found Unresponsive At 3.15 This Morning
Tóibín: “ Extreme” Views Highlighted In Secret WhatsApp Groups Will Not Be Tolerated, As He Points To Diversity In Aontú
Gardaí Investigate Alleged Attack In Kildare Town
“And My Daughter Won’t Like Brown People”: Aontú Fires Kildare Youth Leader Over Racist Messages
Michael D. Higgins Congratulates Catherine Connolly Following Decisive Kildare Vote
