Heather Humphreys confirms she attended an event which is being investigated by gardaí

Presidential candidate said gardaí stated 'there was absolutely no wrongdoing on behalf of anybody that attended that event'

Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys speaking to students at the launch of the Tricolour Initiative at St Aidan's Comprehensive School in Cootehill, Co Cavan. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has confirmed that an event she attended earlier this year is being investigated by gardaí.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of Ms Humphreys or any attendees.

Gardaí are investigating allegations about the event's disbursement of funds to nominated charities.

Speaking at her former school in Cootehill, Ms Humphreys confirmed she had been at the event.

"I attended an event in Monaghan. It was a charity event, and I attended that event along with many others, and there was concern that perhaps that the money that we had contributed to that event may have been defrauded.

"And of course there is an investigation by the gardaí, but I just want to say that the gardaí have very, very clearly stated that there was absolutely no wrongdoing on behalf of anybody that attended that event.

"We all attended it and we contributed to it in good faith. So it is subject to a garda investigation, and I really don't want to say much more."

A spokesperson for Ms Humphreys told the Irish Examiner her chosen charities to benefit from the event were Northeast Down Syndrome; Crocus and SOSAD.

“Heather participated in this event and nominated the charities in good faith and expected that the organisers would fulfil their duties appropriately," they added.

The Irish Examiner understands that Ms Humphreys was contacted by the Gardaí as a witness during the summer months.

It is understood that the only relationship she had with the group in question was that she was a local TD in the area.