Former TD Ned O'Keeffe arrested

Former Fianna Fáil TD Ned O’Keeffe has been arrested today in connection with suspected fraud offences.

He was detained at his home in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, at about 10.30am today and taken to Cobh garda station.

The former Cork East TD, who retired at the last General Election, is being questioned under section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.

He is been held on suspicion of using a false instrument, namely an invoice to claim mobile phone expenses.

Fianna Fáil refused to comment on the arrest.

A party spokesman said: “It’s a matter for the gardaí and we have no further comment to make at this time.”

O’Keeffe, 69, was a junior minister at the Department of Agriculture and Food between 1997 and 2001.

First elected to the Dáil in 1982, he served as TD for his constituency for almost three decades.

He is also known as a former pig farmer and company director.