Michael Lowry's Speech from the Dock

In the custom tradition of great Irish heroes, Micheal Lowry has been allowed to make one last defiant speech from the dock. As he addresses the nation and looks at all opposition with contempt, the question for us is guilty?....or Guilty?

My Lords;

What have I to say as to why sentence of censor should not be pronounced on me in accordance with the law? Well, its not the law. You see theres one law for the ordinary Joe soaps and one law for people like me. People who matter.

I have served this nation. Was it not patriotism that drove me to avoid paying tax? Was it not patriotism that drove me to lie when I finally took advantage of a tax amnesty? Was it not patriotism that made me protect my assets in four offshore accounts? Was it not patriotism that made me take bribes from corrupt businessmen? Was it not patriotism that made me put the interests of my own pocket and my own power ahead of the interests of the Irish people?

Let no man condemn me or my actions? How dare those people elected democratically by the Irish people disagree with and try to censor my good self. What is democracy if it can be used for something other than lining ones own pocket? Haven't I bought enough votes in my own constituency so as not to have to worry about politicians from other constituencies attacking me? Have I not corrupted my own neighbours and family enough with promises of the rewards to be gained from parish pump politics?

What, my lord, shall you tell me on my way out of here and into a nice cushy retirement paid for by my corruption in public life, and by my tax fugitive friends? What is corruption? Is it corrupt to use ones office of power to enlarge ones own bank account? Is it corrupt to lie, cheat and accept multiple bribes? Is it corrupt to put my needs before the needs of the most vulnerable citizens in this country?

Let no man dare, when I am retired, to charge me with anything. Ill be living the high life in a tropical tax haven somewhere over the rainbow.

Let no man write my epitaph as Denis O Brien has promised to pay someone important to write one for me.