In a series of statements issued yesterday, Keane's family said she remained in hospital after recent surgery and had "not spoken to any newspaper or any other media".

They said that Keane had surgery abroad on 31 May and that, "nine days later, she was flown back to Ireland by air ambulance with a medical team where she had further surgery last week". She was in Croatia on holiday with friends when she was taken ill.

However, the editor-inchief of a British tabloid claimed yesterday she had "very definitely spoken" to the paper. He said the interview was conducted with a journalist with the paper, under the stipulation that it wouldn't be published until after Haughey's death. He refused to comment on whether money was paid.

The newspaper was in contact with Keane last week and she was "happy" about the timing of the publication of the interview, he claimed.

But Noelle CampbellSharpe, one of Keane's closest friends for many years, denied this. "Comments made privately five years ago to a journalist friend may be the basis of what is being billed as an exclusive interview, " she said, adding: "Terry Keane is unable to comment."

Last March, Keane appeared on the Late Late Show and spoke of her deep regret at the revelations she made seven years ago about her affair with Haughey.

"I regret many things in my life, but that is my biggest regret, " she said, adding that her family and the people she loved most had been "terribly hurt" by her actions. "But that's behind me now, it's in the past, " she said.

Keane also spoke of her battle with colon cancer and heart disease. "I was lucky that I had a wonderful doctor and he diagnosed me straight away, " she said. The staff at St Vincent's Hospital had saved her life, she added. "I am one of the lucky people."

Friends of the Haughey family reacted with outrage to an advertisement yesterday, branded 'World Exclusive' and promising "in her own vivid words" the "full incredible story of their 27-year love".

They were horrified at the timing, coming the day after the former Taoiseach was buried.

Responding to the adverts yesterday, long-term Haughey family friend Jimmy Guerin . . . brother of the murdered journalist Veronica Guerin . . . was strongly critical.

"It's a most distasteful thing to do. I can only guess that this was prepared before Mr Haughey died. I am absolutely surprised that someone would do something like this at a time when the family are grieving and their father has only just been buried."

"The truth of the whole thing is that Maureen was the love of his life. Terry Keane completely over-rated her significance in Mr Haughey's life. That upsets Terry Keane deeply."

Guerin said that he had not discussed reports of the expose with the Haughey family and said he "would not be doing so".

"I would not intrude in that manner, " he said. He said that the family was as likely to be as upset about further stories in relation to the affair as they were at the time she initially revealed on the Late Late Show in 1999 that she and Haughey were lovers.

"How do you think they will feel?"

Another Haughey family friend expressed surprise at the advert.

"The timing is very hurtful.

To have it a day after the man goes into the grave. I think people will find it very distasteful."

Meanwhile, family friends believe that Charles Haughey was sending an overt signal to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern by requesting that his youngest son Sean deliver a eulogy at the church on Friday.

It is understood that the Haughey family were "gutted" at the way Ahern handled the reshuffle of his junior ministers earlier this year when Sean was overlooked for promotion.

"If, as his brother said, Charlie planned the whole funeral, no one should underestimate the significance of Sean speaking. That was Charlie saying to Bertie: 'I'm proud of my son; he's a good guy; you look after him, " one source said.