Wednesday, 28 December 2022 at 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.
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