SIPO finds Sligo & Donegal councillors contravened Ethics in Public Office Act



The Standards in Public Office Commission has found Sligo Cllr Joe Queenan has breached ethics guidelines.

Its follows his appearance on an RTE investigates programme four years ago.

The commission has today published a report following investigation hearings on 10 September 2018 into the conduct of Enniscrone councillor Joe Queenan.

It ruled against the former Fianna Fail cllr in three of four alleged breaches.

The investigations centred on alleged contraventions of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and 2001 and part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001.

In a separate report published today the commission also found Donegal County Councillor John O’ Donnell breached ethics guidelines.

The commission ruled against Councillor O’Donnell in respect of all three of the alleged contraventions following an investigation hearing which was held on September 11th 2018.

In the RTE investigates programme in December 2015 secret recordings were carried out with both councillors.

The interviews concerned a supposed wind farm allegedly being developed by a foreign investment company and were conducted by a woman who was in fact an undercover researcher.

The commission says it has given copies of the reports to both councillors involved as well as the the Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of each Council and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.



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