Councillor’s reply

The Irish Examiner edition August 5, 2010, alleged that Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan received expenses from Cork County Council of €58,329 for 2009 and €44,308 for 2008.

As one first elected back in 1979 and at present a member of the Fermoy Town Council, I can confirm that over that period there has been no other councillor Tadhg O’Donovan in the Fermoy area and I have not been in receipt of the above monies from Cork County Council. The misinformation published in the Irish Examiner has caused me great embarrassment without any foundation what so ever. I can only assume that the purpose for putting the expenses into the public domain was in the promotion of public accountability an aim I would personally share. Unfortunately, the misinformation in contrast has created distortion and undermines the entire exercise while leaving me an individual offended and in need to repair my credibility both as a person and as a public representative.

Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan