President Hillery refused to speak to any opposition party politicians , but when Charles Haughey , who was Leader of the Opposition , had rang the President 's Office he threatened to end the career of the army officer answered and refused on Hillery 's explicit orders to put the call through to the President . His reputation rose further when opposition leaders under parliamentary privilege alleged that Taoiseach Charles Haughey , who in January 1982 had been Leader of the Opposition , had not merely rung the President 's Office but threatened to end the career of the army officer who took the call and who , on Hillery 's explicit instructions , had refused to put through the call to the President .