Press Releases

Press Statement - Investigation Report concerning Killarney Town Councillors

Date Released: 10.05.2007

Standards in Public Office Commission

 Press Statement - Investigation Report by the Standards in Public Office Commission

The Standards Commission has today published its investigation report about alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Councillor Patrick O'Donoghue and Councillor Sheila Casey, Killarney Town Council. The report follows an investigation hearing held on 26 March 2007.

The Standards Commission found that Councillor O'Donoghue contravened sections 168 and 177 of the Local Government Act in his actions in relation to a motion to rezone land at the Gleneagle Land, Killarney, which was debated and voted on at Killarney Town Council on 6 March 2006. The Commission sent its report yesterday to the two councillors concerned, to the local authority and also to the Minister for Finance and to the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Standards Commission formed the view that offences under the Local Government Act may have been committed by Councillor O'Donoghue and it will be referring a report on the matter, as required under the ethics legislation, to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Standards Commission found that Councillor Casey did not contravene either section 168 or section 177 of the Local Government Act because it was not satisfied on the evidence before it that she had actual knowledge that she had, as an employee of the O'Donoghue family, a beneficial interest in the motion to rezone the lands.

The Standards Commission also concluded that council officials should remind councillors of the provisions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service at the beginning of each council meeting where planning matters are on the agenda. The Commission pointed out that the onus to comply with the ethical framework remains on councillors themselves.

The investigation report, together with full details of the Standards Commission's findings and determinations, is available on the Commission's website - www.sipo.gov.ie

Issued by the Standards in Public Office Commission on 10 May 2007

Fax: 01-6395684
email: sipo@sipo.gov.ie
Website: http://www.sipo.gov.ie

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