Kathryn Nelson (57), from Athy, who is living in a rented apartment on the Isle of Man, claims she is on hunger strike in an attempt to secure a public declaration from the Irish government that she is no longer a suspect in the ongoing money laundering investigation that followed the �26.5m Northern Bank heist in December 2004.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune this weekend, Nelson said, "I am not a cowardly woman. I'd rather be dead than the way I am. . . but I may consider coming off the strike if it means I can negotiate with the Irish government."

Nelson was working as a private diplomatic liaison officer assisting investors and business people in the Balkans and southern Europe when the bank heist took place.

In January 2005 she accompanied former government adviser Phil Flynn and Cork money lender Ted Cunningham on an investment exploration trip around Bulgaria. Flynn and Cunningham were both questioned by the garda� but neither was charged. Nelson was also arrested and, even though no charges were brought against her, she says the suspicion that has hung over her since has ruined her reputation and destroyed her career.

She wants the government to publicly apologise to her and she also claims that Flynn and Cunningham owe her money.

In a joint statement issued to the Sunday Tribune this weekend, Flynn and Cunningham said, "It would appear that Ms Nelson is in a distressed state and we are anxious not to do or say anything that might add to her distress.

"We do not owe Kathryn any money. If Kathryn's understanding of matters is different there are avenues open to her to assert her rights other than by damaging her health."