Ahern denies prior knowledge of forged letter

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has insisted that he had no prior knowledge of his forged signature being used on a leaflet distributed by a Fianna Fáil candidate in Co Wexford ahead of the recent local elections.

Councillor Lorcan Allen has admitted distributing the forged letter in an effort to garner votes.

Responding to questions in the Dáil from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today, Mr Ahern said he regretted the incident and was awaiting a report into the matter from the Fianna Fáil general secretary.

“I had no prior knowledge of my signature being used on a letter to voters in Gorey,” he said.

“Had I known, I would have naturally enough taken steps to make sure that that wouldn’t happen.”