Man denies accepting payments

A Fine Gael TD went to the gardaí as a result of a conversation he had with the wife of a party colleague who is now charged with accepting corrupt payments totalling €80,000, a court heard yesterday.

Former town councillor Fred Forsey Jr, aged 42, with an address at Coolagh Rd, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, has pleaded not guilty to receiving €60,000, €10,000, and €10,000 in three corrupt payments from a property developer in 2006.

Waterford Circuit Court heard at yesterday’s opening of the trial of Mr Forsey that in Apr 2007, Jenny Forsey approached TD John Deasy and, as a result of their conversation, Mr Deasy went to the gardaí and advised Mrs Forsey — the separated wife of Fred Forsey — to do likewise.