Vote fraud probe ends

THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will not prosecute anyone for alleged vote rigging in local elections because of insufficient evidence.

Thurles Mayor John Kenehan alleged that dead people’s votes had been used and that there was widespread personation.

This prompted a major garda investigation headed by Inspector John Lynagh whose team sergeants interviewed 186 people during the investigation which ran from July to December 2004. A file was later sent to the DPP.

While Mr Kenehan did give oral information to the gardaí on one dead person who was on the register of voters, he did not make a written statement.

Insp Lynagh said that it is very difficult to prove personation - particularly of a dead person.

“It was impossible for me to determine who actually did this unless the person was challenged on the day by the polling station staff,” Insp Lynagh added.

Mr Kenehan said he was disappointed but not surprised with the DPP’s decision. “The gardaí told me at the outset of the investigation that they would have to catch people on the day to secure prosecutions but I am satisfied that the investigation did reveal a lot of other irregularities.”

He said he did not make a written statement to gardaí because his legal advice was that it was not necessary.

Independent Councillor Jim Ryan is to seek Mr Kenehan’s resignation.

Mr Ryan said that he, like all other politicians in the area, had felt an accusing finger was pointed at him because the Mayor would not state whom the allegations were against.

But Mr Kenehan said: “I believe it went on and stand over everything I said.”