SIPO Kerry questions answered

FOUR KERRY NAMES IN SIPO REPORTS ON DÁIL AND SEANAD ELECTIONS

KERRY people named in two Standards in Public Office (SIPO) Commission reports into Dáil and Seanad election donations and spending say all matters have been – or soon will be – fully resolved.

Two people in Kerry were among 66 names referred to gardaí by SIPO over their alleged failure to return all required statutory documentation in relation to last year’s Dáil and Seanad elections.

One of these was Tralee based solicitor Louis O’Connell who was election agent for Fine Gael candidates Deputy Brendan Griffin, Jimmy Deenihan and Grace O’Donnell.

SIPO said Mr O’Connell had failed to answer queries on election expense statements for the three candidates and had not provided outstanding invoices for Deputy Griffin and Mr Deenihan.

Mr O’Connell said the issues raised were “innocuous” matters and that all are now “in hand.”

He said all matters relating to Deputy Griffin had been resolved before Christmas and that he expects the other issues will be fully resolved in days.

Cllr Mike Kennelly – who was a senate candidate but withdrew from the race before the election – was also referred to gardaí for failing to lodge the required documentation.

Cllr Kennelly said the issue – which is now fully resolved – was a simple oversight as he had not realised the documentation was still required even though he had withdrawn from the election before the vote.

Cllr Niall Kelleher – who was not referred to gardaí – was named in the SIPO report as he had not provided a specific bank statement with the rest of his documentation. He had provided all other documents required by SIPO.

Cllr Kelleher said the bank statement has now been submitted and he expects the matter will be fully resolved shortly.

Green Party Dáil Candidate Michael Fitzgerald was listed as receiving an excess donation of €1,500. SIPO said the €500 excess had been returned.