MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has told a local newspaper he was rushed into telling his children about his cancer diagnosis on St Stephen’s Day because TV3 had decided to run the story.
Explaining the sequence of events to the Community Voice newspaper in Blanchardstown, Dublin, he said: “My staff were contacted on Christmas Eve by TV3, who said they wanted to run the story immediately.
“I wanted to discuss the situation with my family and also to discuss the treatment options with my doctors so that I could properly understand the position and give a proper explanation of my situation.
“I didn’t want to tell my children until after Christmas Day but when TV3 contacted my press officer on St Stephen’s Day and said they would be running the story that afternoon, I was left with only a couple of hours to explain the situation to my immediate family.
“However, I have so many other family members around the country, I was anxious that they should know before they heard it on the news, but unfortunately this was no longer possible.”
Mr Lenihan said while he did not see what public interest was served between St Stephen’s Day and the new year by TV3 broadcasting the story, he did not intend to lose sleep over it.
“When you are facing a serious condition, you try to put issues like that behind you. You just can’t afford to let them affect you.”
Speaking a few days after his first chemotherapy treatment, the Minister said: “My doctors have advised that I am fit to continue to fulfil my duties. At all times I will act in the best interests of the country and in accordance with any medical advice received.”
He said it was not until the Tuesday of Christmas week that he got a final diagnosis and details of possible treatment.
“It was all very sudden. One day I had a pain in my stomach; next day I had a life-threatening condition. I just have to face up to it.”
