Ex-Irish PM 'critical' after collapse

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Former Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey was said to be "critical but stable" after being admitted to hospital following a heart attack.

Haughey, 75, currently under investigation by a tribunal of inquiry into payments made to politicians by businessmen, was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Monday from his home in Malahide, Co Dublin.

A statement issued by Dublin's Beaumont Hospital said the three-times Taoiseach was admitted after "a collapse at his home."

"He has a serious, life-threatening cardiac condition," the hospital said.

The hospital said Haughey was under sedation to allow ventilation.

Members of his family -- he and his wife have three sons and a daughter -- were at his bedside. Haughey has been in ill-health for some time.

Six months ago a medical report handed to the tribunal said he was terminally ill with prostate cancer.

As a result, the inquiry agreed to hear further evidence from Haughey in private, rather than public session.

The tribunal was established after Haughey admitted at an earlier tribunal that he received more than IR.1 million from businessman Ben Dunne.

Haughey subsequently faced courtroom charges for obstructing the work of the original tribunal, but proceedings against him have been delayed.

A former leader of the Fianna Fail Party, Haughey retired from active politics in 1992.

Irish Government
Fianna Fáil
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin

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