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Presidential hopeful Dana comforted after 'vile' claim Presidential hopeful Dana comforted after 'vile' claim
(about 1 hour later)
Irish presidential hopeful Dana Rosemary Scallon reportedly had to be comforted by other candidates following a televised debate on Wednesday night.Irish presidential hopeful Dana Rosemary Scallon reportedly had to be comforted by other candidates following a televised debate on Wednesday night.
During the debate on RTE Two's Prime Time, Ms Scallon read from a statement, pledging legal action over "malicious allegations" against her family.During the debate on RTE Two's Prime Time, Ms Scallon read from a statement, pledging legal action over "malicious allegations" against her family.
The visibly upset former singer did not say what the claims were.The visibly upset former singer did not say what the claims were.
She is one of seven candidates in the Irish presidential poll which will take place later this month.She is one of seven candidates in the Irish presidential poll which will take place later this month.
Ms Scallon, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970, previously stood for the presidency in 1997 and is also a former member of the European parliament.Ms Scallon, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970, previously stood for the presidency in 1997 and is also a former member of the European parliament.
"It has come to my attention that yet further allegations, this time of a most untrue, malicious and vile nature, have been levelled against a member of my family," Ms Scallon said."It has come to my attention that yet further allegations, this time of a most untrue, malicious and vile nature, have been levelled against a member of my family," Ms Scallon said.
AllegationsAllegations
"Let it be known that lawyers have already been instructed to forensically investigate a particular communication disseminating this vile and false accusation, which attempts to implicate me and destroy my good character.""Let it be known that lawyers have already been instructed to forensically investigate a particular communication disseminating this vile and false accusation, which attempts to implicate me and destroy my good character."
She added that lines of inquiry were being pursued with "prosecution authorities" in the United States. With exactly two weeks to voting day, all of the candidates in the election are out canvassing today - all except Dana Rosemary Scallon.
The independent candidate is not attending any public events in the wake of her dramatic statement towards the end of last night's debate.
Despite being pressed by presenter Miriam O'Callaghan, she declined to give details and avoided the waiting media on her exit.
The allegations remained unclear on Thursday afternoon. As does Dana's continuation in the presidential race.
Earlier this week, the former Eurovision winner threatened to withdraw from the election if the media continued to report on her disagreement with members of her family.
It remains to be seen if she will act on that threat.
The Derry-born candidate added that lines of inquiry were being pursued with "prosecution authorities" in the United States.
"May I assure the Irish people that I will leave no stone unturned to expose the malicious intent at the heart of these untrue allegations," Ms Scallon said."May I assure the Irish people that I will leave no stone unturned to expose the malicious intent at the heart of these untrue allegations," Ms Scallon said.
She has previously faced allegations over her decision to take US citizenship in the 1990s but has stressed that taking an oath of allegiance to the US constitution did not infringe her Irish citizenship.She has previously faced allegations over her decision to take US citizenship in the 1990s but has stressed that taking an oath of allegiance to the US constitution did not infringe her Irish citizenship.
The six other candidates in the Irish presidential race are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Labour's Michael D Higgins, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and independents Mary Davis, Sean Gallagher and David Norris. Fellow independent candidate David Norris, who has also faced significant scrunity, said he had felt sorry for Ms Scallon during the debate and had gone to comfort her afterwards.
But he added that he had no knowledge of the allegations she was talking about and therefore could not comment.
The six other candidates in the Irish presidential race are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Labour's Michael D Higgins, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and independents Mary Davis, Sean Gallagher and Mr Norris.