Sean Gallagher Envelope the full story.

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Businessman Hugh Morgan of Morgan Fuels has said that he handed over a cheque for €5,000 for FF to Seán Gallagher in 2008.
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Businessman Hugh Morgan has said he handed over a cheque for €5,000 for Fianna Fáil to Seán Gallagher in June 2008.

In a statement this evening, Mr Morgan said Mr Gallagher had called to his business premises in Co Armagh to personally collect the cheque. He said Sean Gallagher had phoned him earlier in the month, inviting him to a Fianna Fáil fundraising event and requested a donation.

The businessman said he was promised a private audience with the Taoiseach and a photograph in return for the donation.

This evening Sean Gallagher insisted that Mr Morgan's statement "is completely at odds with what he allegedly told Martin McGuinness two hours before the Frontline debate."

"Sinn Féin and Mr Morgan have had so many versions of this fabricated story that it only serves to further compound the lie."

The issue of the cheque has dominated the election campaign since last night's debate on The Frontline, where Martin McGuinness claimed that Mr Gallagher collected a €5,000 donation
"from a Co Louth businessman".

Mr Gallagher initially said he had no recollection, but then claimed the man in question was a fuel smuggler with links to Gerry Adams, but seemed to concede there may have been an envelope handed over.

Fianna Fáil today confirmed that it had received a donation from Mr Morgan.

This afternoon, Mr Gallagher said that Martin McGuinness told a "blatant lie" when he stated that Mr Gallagher had personally collected the €5,000 cheque after the Fianna Fáil fundraiser.

He described Mr McGuinness' comments as "wild claims".

Speaking on Today FM this evening, Mr Gallagher said the cheque in question was cashed and lodged before the fundraising event in Dundalk on 1 July 2008.

Mr Gallagher said he had been contacted by Fianna Fáil headquarters before the event to contact local business people to see if they would like to attend.

He asked Hugh Morgan to attend the fundraiser but said he did not know the man personally and invited him on the basis that he was a sponsor of the Armagh football team.

Mr Gallagher has accused Sinn Féin of organising and orchestrating a campaign designed to take him out of the Presidential campaign.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Mr Gallagher said Sinn Féin had put together a "dirty tricks" campaign.

Mr Gallagher also said he never donated money to Fianna Fáil in a personal or professional capacity.

He said he had made no money as a result of his contacts within the party and had never made any representations to a Government department on behalf of anyone seeking a grant.

Final full day of campaign

David Norris has said he did not find Mr Gallagher's explanation on last night's Frontline debate of his involvement in a Fianna Fáil fundraiser as credible.

Speaking in Blanchardstown where he was canvassing, Mr Norris said he felt Mr Gallagher's explanations were incoherent.

He said that following last night's debate, he does think there are votes that are free to be gathered, and much more of a floating vote.

He said it is his belief that people are still making up their minds and the election will be decided in the next 48 hours.

Dana Rosemary Scallon has said she does feel sympathy for Mr Gallagher after last night's debate.

Speaking in Longford during a canvas and walkabout, Dana said she is hoping the people of Ireland will vote for her on her records of honesty and achievement.

Ms Scallon said she had brought investment to the country while she was a member of the European Parliament and she feels there is a role for the President in promoting employment all over Ireland.

Michael D Higgins has said any candidate must satisfy every concern about trust and transparency.

At the final press conference of his campaign, Mr Higgins said there was a policy difference between himself and Mr Gallagher on their approach to job creation.

He said he understood that while he had created jobs as a minister, he could not do that as President.

His role would now be in being a source of inspiration at home and attracting foreign direct investment abroad.

Mr Higgins said that was very different from electing an entrepreneur

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