Fake text ‘used to swing vote for seat on council’

GARDAÍ are investigating claims of that identity fraud was used in a bid to swing a local election.

Fianna Fáil’s Brian Dooley filled a recently vacated Kildare County Council seat after he was selected at a convention in Narraghmore, Co. Kildare, on November 19.

The Irish Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday that less than an hour before voting was set to begin, delegates received a text message that appeared to come from Fianna Fáil councillor Martin Miley Jr endorsing Mr Dooley.

However, Mr Miley said he did not send this message, and he confirmed he has reported the incident to Kildare gardaí, to the communications regulator and to Fianna Fáil headquarters.

Complaints were made to the Data Commissioner by many of the 113 people at the meeting.

Mr Dooley won the internal poll by a margin of three votes. Fianna Fáil chiefs received emails from members complaining the vote was invalid and should be overturned.

Mr Dooley took his seat last Monday and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing.

Mr Miley told the MoS: ‘I had no hand, act or part to play in the sending out of this text message. I have been in contact with my service provider, and they have confirmed that it is not from my account.’ He said that his service provider said his account has not been hacked.

Fianna Fáil said it is investigating.