Longford TD Joe Flaherty has claimed that he is the victim of "a sustained campaign" designed to "discredit" him.
The Fianna Fail representative has taken to Facebook to deny that he has had any engagement, at any level, with the Criminal Assets Bureau.
The Lanesboro native claims that there is an "untrue" allegation being circulated across social media, and that while he accepts criticism as a politician, he cannot stand by and allow his "name to be defamed" and his " family to be abused and insulted."
He says he has devoted his "time and energy to working on behalf of all people" and will continue to do so despite what he believes are "the calculated and malicious efforts of others to discredit me."
He concludes his statement by claiming "life in the political eye does not give a small section of the public the right to falsify and peddle malicious and slanderous accusations regarding the TD or his family."
The full statement can be read below:
Personal Statement
Ordinarily I do not comment on any discussions about me on social media.
However there is presently a blatantly untrue allegation being promoted across various social media sites which is clearly designed to discredit me. This is a continuation in a sustained campaign against me.
I have not, now or ever been ‘raided by CAB’, either at my office or family home.
Nor have I had any engagement at any level with the anti-crime agency.
I accept in the course of my political work that I am open to public scrutiny but I cannot stand by and allow my name to be defamed and my family to be abused and insulted.
I fully appreciate the great honour that comes with representing the people of Longford in Dáil Eireann. I have devoted my time and energy to working on behalf of all people and will continue to do so notwithstanding the calculated and malicious efforts of others to discredit me.
Life in the political eye does not give a small section of the public the right to falsify and peddle malicious and slanderous accusations regarding I, or my family. I will pursue those who persist in the regurgitation of same by all legal and necessary means.
I will be making no further comment on this matter
