Roscommon County Manager: I did not 'sort out' Flanagan penalty point issue

Roscommon County Manager Frank Dawson has said he did not "sort out the penalty point issue" for Luke Ming Flanagan which saw penalty points wiped from the TD's licence.

He said he will now take all the necessary steps to protect his good name and reputation.

It follows a claim made by Roscommon South Leitrim TD, Ming Flanagan, that a senior official of Roscommon County Council "sorted out" a penalty points offence for him, though he made no request for this to be done.

Deputy Flanagan cancelled his scheduled departure for Tucson, Arizona for St Patrick's Day celebrations this morning in order to deal with the situation.

Mr Dawson said in a statement: "I assume I am the official Deputy Flanagan is referring to in his recent statements within and outside Dáil Eireann as he did mention in a conversation with me in December 2010 that he was stopped by An Garda Siochana for using a mobile phone whilst driving, outside the Council offices.

"I utterly reject his allegations that I 'sorted out his penalty points issue for him'. I will take all necessary steps to protect my good name and reputation.

"Today I am forwarding my account of this matter to the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Siochana in charge of the investigation. In this context it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time."