Mr Charles Haughey has grown frail, suffered poor health and developed memory problems as a result of stress caused by having to give evidence before the Moriarty tribunal, according to a former adviser.
Ms Catherine Butler, who worked for Mr Haughey from 1987 to 1992, told TV3 News last night that Mr Haughey had not coped well with having to give evidence. She said society should "stop persecuting him".
"Charles Haughey is an intensely private and personal man. He would never let the veil slip in public but in private it's a very different situation," Ms Butler said. "He has not coped well. In terms of his health, he has grown frail, he has lost his powers of concentration and he has memory problems, and I think this has been brought about by stress and it's had a dreadful effect on him and indeed on Maureen Haughey."
She went on: "I just want it to end for Mr Haughey. I want society to stop persecuting him, to leave him alone, to let him cope with his illness, just to get on with the rest of his life."
She said she had never seen Mr Haughey engaged in any corrupt activities. "I witnessed no corruption. I want to put that on the record. Charles Haughey was completely and utterly an honest politician. He is a good man."