Corruption probe councillor quits FF

A FIANNA Fáil councillor yesterday resigned from the party over allegations of financial irregularities.

Galway County Councillor Michael Fahy also confirmed that he was involved in a garda investigation into the alleged misappropriation of road funding.

The Ardrahan-based councillor said in a statement that, pending the outcome of the investigation, he was voluntarily resigning from the party. However, Mr Fahy made no mention of resigning his seat.

The statement read: “I, Cllr Michael Fahy confirm that I am the councillor involved in the garda investigation of alleged misappropriation of road funding.

“Pending the outcome of this investigation, I have decided in the interests of the Fianna Fáil organisation locally and nationally, to voluntarily resign from the Fianna Fáil organisation with immediate effect.”

A spokesman for Fianna Fáil said the party had become aware that Mr Fahy was the subject of the garda investigation shortly before his resignation.

However, he said that the party did not want to make any comment prior to the conclusion of the garda investigation into the allegations against Mr Fahy.

Gardaí began an investigation into the allegations two days ago and have sent a file to the DPP.

The allegations against Mr Fahy date back several years but were only reported to the garda in recent months by the council.

A separate and unrelated garda investigation is ongoing into the disappearance of petty cash from the Council’s Planning Office.

Galway County Council refused to say how much money was involved in either case but said the issues came to their attention “in the course of routine internal checking procedures”.

A council statement added: “One concerns a petty cash irregularity and the other concerns the use of council funds.

“In both cases procedures and processes have been revised and strengthened to prevent a reoccurrence.”

A spokeswoman refused to comment further on the matter while the outcome of the garda investigation was outstanding.