Healy-Rae faces conflict of interest probe

THE ethics registrar of Kerry County Council is investigating a conflict of interest allegation against Independent Fianna Fáil councillor and leading plant hire contractor Danny Healy-Rae, it was confirmed yesterday.

It arises from a motion by Mr Healy-Rae at the council’s September meeting where he called on the council to resume a hedge-cutting programme, while at the same time tendering for hedge-cutting work as a contractor.

The complaint has been made by Killarney Ind Cllr Brendan Cronin, who has previously clashed with Mr Healy-Rae, a son of Dáil Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae, over conflict of interest claims.

Following queries from Mr Cronin, it emerged that Danny Healy-Rae was the highest paid contractor hired by the council last year, earning over €400,000.

Mr Healy-Rae has “categorically refuted” conflict of interest allegations.

He said such allegations were coming from the same “spiteful councillor who has continued his begrudgery against the Healy-Raes”.

He said that while he did tender for hedge-cutting work from the council, he did not put down the motion to get hedge-cutting work for himself.

He said it was in the interests of his constituents and was not done for personal gain.

The matter is being investigated under the Local Government Act 2001 by the council’s ethics registrar, Michael McMahon.

If Mr Healy-Rae is found to have breached public office ethics, he could be asked to resign his seat, or be disqualified from being elected, or co-opted, to future councils.

Kerry county manager Martin Riordan and mayor Ned O’Sullivan are seeking legal advice.

Mr Healy-Rae was the subject of another inquiry earlier this year into possible conflict of interest.

However, a senior counsel found that he broke no law by attending council meetings while, at the same time, being a contractor working for the council.