Cork TD Thomas Gould quizzed by gardaí over fraud allegations — insists he's innocent

'I am entirely innocent and reject the complaint which my former employer has made against me,' Mr Gould said

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould . Picture: Dan Linehan

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould has confirmed that he is the politician who was quizzed by gardaí investigating an alleged fraud and insists he is innocent.

Mr Gould, who has represented the northside of Cork City in the Dáil since 2020, issued a statement to the Irish Examiner via solicitor on Saturday evening after reports emerged that a member of the Oireachtas had been arrested by appointment on Friday for questioning by gardaí investigating an alleged €150,000 business fraud almost a decade ago.

Mr Gould was released without charge by gardaí and a file is expected to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In his statement, Mr Gould, who spoke publicly recently about how he is undergoing treatment for bowel cancer, said that he is entirely innocent and utterly rejects the complaint, which his former employer has made against him, and said he is confident that his position will be vindicated.

“I am confident that my position will be vindicated having met with the investigating Gardaí where I made a detailed statement,” he said.

“I will be meeting with my legal team to discuss all avenues now open.

“When this matter was brought to my attention I was shocked and angry.

“I am entirely innocent and reject the complaint which my former employer has made against me," Mr Gould added.

“Despite my ongoing treatment for bowel cancer I proactively requested that my interview with gardaí happen quickly rather than when my treatment concluded as I consider this to be a serious attack on my reputation.

“Yesterday [Friday] I attended by arrangement with the gardaí for interview.

“The complaint made against me relates to my employment as a logistics manager before I was elected to the Dáil in 2020. I worked for this company for 16 years.

“I was a hard-working employee who was promoted to a senior management level.

“When the company was sold the owner asked me to stay on for a period to help with the transition and I was happy to facilitate him.

“I reject the complaint entirely and I will be meeting with my legal team to discuss all avenues now open.

“I am prevented from making any further comment while the Gardaí continue with their work," the statement on behalf of Mr Gould said.

On Saturday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “In early February, Deputy Thomas Gould informed the party that a complaint had been made against him to the Gardaí and that he had been asked to make a statement on the matter.

“He was interviewed by Gardaí in Cork [on Friday] and made a detailed statement to them.

“We understand that a number of other people have been questioned as part of Garda inquiries. This includes party councillor Kenneth Collins, who worked for the company, and was questioned by gardaí in January.

“They both emphatically deny the allegations.

“It is now for the gardaí to continue their investigation into the complaint.”