‘No criminality apparent’ in county council investigation
GARDAI in Bray said that there is ‘no criminality apparent’ in allegations levelled at Wicklow County Council.
A local TD has given a statement to gardaí regarding what he says are ‘serious allegations he has received of planning and other irregularities in Wicklow County Council.’
It is believed that Deputy John Brady’s statement is linked to a lengthy email sent to Wicklow County Council by estate agent Gabriel Dooley, asking a series of questions. Gardaí in Bray confirmed that information was supplied to them by Deputy Brady. ‘ There is no criminality apparent to us at this point but investigations are ongoing,’ said Garda Declan Lynch. On Monday morning, members of Greystones Municipal District held a special meeting, in-committee, to discuss the matter. They had a motion before them to forward the email to the Minister for the Environment ‘for him to carry out an independent investigation into the serious matters raised in Mr Dooley’s correspondence’. The resolution was passed by three votes to one and will now be sent to Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten.
Deputy John Brady made a statement at Bray Garda Station on Friday last, along with his Sinn Féin colleagues Nicola Lawless, Mary McDonald and Michael O’Connor. ‘We have brought to the attention of the gardaí serious allegations which have been made to us concerning matters within the remit of Wicklow County Council,’ said Deputy Brady afterwards. ‘As public representatives, we are duty bound to take relevant action when serious allegations are brought to our attention. In this case, such is the seriousness of these allegations that we have contacted the gardaí and passed on the information we have.
‘ This evening we have made statements to the gardaí based on the information that has been brought to our attention and we have handed over all relevant documentation to the gardaí.’
‘A reply has been sent to Mr Dooley regarding his untrue and defamatory statements,’ said Wicklow County Council in a statement. ‘ The council will be issuing a more comprehensive response in due course.’