Cosgrave may face charges for failing to disclose donation

Former Fine Gael Senator Liam Cosgrave may face prosecution for failing to disclose an election donation, according to reports this morning.

The Standards in Public Office Commission reportedly began investigating the matter after Mr Cosgrave admitted to the Flood Tribunal earlier this year that he did not declare a £2,500 donation from lobbyist Frank Dunlop in his 1997 returns.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is understood to be considering a file on the investigation.

Failing to declare election donations became a crime under the 1997 Electoral Act and the penalty for conviction on indictment is a maximum fine of €25,000 and/or three years in prison.