FG not backing party’s candidate for mayor

The Fine Gael party in Limerick has decided not to support its own candidate in mayoral elections in the city following growing unease over his expenses claims.

The party has said that it would instead be supporting Labour’s nominee Cllr Gerry McLoughlin. The former Irish rugby star is now expected to become the 815th mayor of Limerick.

Former senator Pat Kennedy was expected to become mayor next week.

Cllr Kennedy returned almost €1,700 to Limerick City Council for mileage expenses claimed for a car that was off the road, for five conferences attended in 2010. He has also refunded three bodies for publicly elected representatives, just over €3,800.

Cllr Kennedy said yesterday he had made a “genuine mistake in regard to certain expenses”.

“The national investigatory committee of Fine Gael decided not to impose any sanction on me having accepted my explanation… The written agreement entered into in respect of my nomination for the mayoralty in 2012-2013 must now be honoured.”