FIANNA FÁIL is to discuss whether or not to lodge a complaint with the Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau regarding a donation of IR50,000 (€63,000) which went astray.
The Mahon tribunal found that the money was given to then minister Pádraig Flynn by developer Tom Gilmartin as a party donation but that the then environment minister used it for personal benefit, including the purchase of a farm in the name of his wife, Dorothy.
Mr Flynn has rejected the findings of the tribunal and denied having sought or received payments from others.
Responding to reports that the bureau’s investigations were being hindered because Fianna Fáil had not made an official complaint about the matter, a spokesman said it would be discussed by the party.
“We asked for the Mahon report to be forwarded by the Government to the relevant authorities. We have received no further contact from either the Cab or the Garda, seeking further information or clarification.
“Should they do this, we will co-operate with them fully,” the Fianna Fáil spokesman said.
Asked if the party would be lodging a complaint, the spokesman said: “It is not something that has been discussed by the party, but it will be discussed.”
Fianna Fáil chief whip and TD for Kildare South Seán Ó Fearghaíl said: “The issue of a complaint may arise.
“I would personally have no difficulty with that, but first it would need to be discussed by the parliamentary party. The first opportunity will be Wednesday of next week.”
Former deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív said there were no circumstances in which Fianna Fáil could accept the donation in any case.
“I don’t think that for Fianna Fáil to be taking a donation of IR50,000 is appropriate or legal.
“My view is that the money should go back to Mr Gilmartin or to the Cab, whichever is appropriate.
“Fianna Fáil should assist the investigation in any way and if there is anything they could do in that regard, they should do it.
“They should act on the advice of the enforcement authorities but the final result should not be Fianna Fáil getting IR50,000, so if there is some technical thing Fianna Fáil should do to help the inquiries, of course they should do it,” Mr Ó Cuív added.
Labour backbencher Colm Keaveney said: “The country and the body politic are anxiously waiting for Fianna Fáil to respond and make their mind up so that due process can take its course.
“There is an appetite amongst the public to see the body politic act on these matters as promptly as possible.
“There must be a very good reason for Fianna Fáil’s inaction to date,” he said.
The Mahon tribunal described the payment as corrupt and found that Mr Flynn had given “astounding, incredible and untrue” evidence to it.
In his letter of resignation from the party, Mr Flynn reiterated his rejection of the adverse findings against him.
