Fianna Fáil will investigate cocaine claims against councillor, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday said his party was closely monitoring the controversy surrounding a Dublin Fianna Fáil councillor who has rejected allegations he was caught snorting cocaine.

Indicating that the issue was being taken seriously by the party, Mr Ahern said: “It won’t be just dropped.”

Noel Kelly, who has claimed he was subjected to extortion attempts and demands for a substantial sum of money, has reported the matter to the gardaí.

Asked to comment on the issue yesterday, Mr Ahern said he had asked Fianna Fáil general secretary Sean Dunne to contact Mr Kelly.

“We’re now awaiting a garda investigation and will be watching the situation very closely,” he added.

When asked if he had ever previously heard of extortion in Irish politics, Mr Ahern said he had never heard anything like it.

“It sounds to me peculiar, to be honest,” he said.

The Taoiseach, who was in Killarney to officially open a €16 million development at the Muckross Park Hotel, said he did not really know the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

He said he abhorred drugs.

Mr Ahern, who broke his holidays in Kerry to perform the tape-cutting ceremony for owners Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin, looked relaxed and mingled easily with some celebrity guests.

The guests included TV sports presenter Pat Spillane, Kerry footballer Darragh Ó Se, Kerry mayor Ted Fitzgerald, Fáilte Ireland director Patrick O’Donoghue and Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae.

Mr Ahern said the investment in the hotel reaffirmed Killarney’s position as a leading tourist destination and gave employment to over 100 people.

He said Jackie Lavin’s vision for a hotel where only the best would do had been realised with the addition of 70 deluxe guest rooms, creating a 110-room hotel, as well as a conference centre and spa.