A Sinn Féin member of the Dáil (Irish parliament) has confirmed that he has been questioned by gardaí (Irish police) over financial issues at a company where he previously worked.

Thomas Gould, a TD for Cork North Central, has issued a statement saying he is innocent and "utterly rejects" claims being made against him.

Gardaí have said a man was arrested in Cork "as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud offences" and later released without charge.

Gould made a public statement after an earlier statement from the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

In a statement on Saturday, 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 yesterday (Friday) and made a detailed statement to them.

"It is now for the Gardaí to continue their investigation into the complaint."

'Entirely innocent'

Gould's statement, issued through a solicitor, said he is "entirely innocent" and "utterly rejects the complaint" made against him by a former employer.

He went on to say he was "shocked and angry" about the complaint, which he said relates to a period before he was elected to the Dáil in 2020.

Gould said he is currently being treated for bowel cancer and "proactively" requested an early interview with Gardaí rather than wait until the treatment is concluded because of what he described as a "serious attack" on his reputation.

He said he made a detailed statement, and he is confident his position will be vindicated.

Gardaí say a man was arrested in County Cork on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud offences.

The man, who was detained under Section 4 of the Irish Criminal Justice Act 1984, was released without charge later on Friday, according to Gardaí who say investigations are ongoing.

Councillor questioned

In her statement, McDonald said a number of other people have been questioned as part of garda inquiries, including Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins.

The Cork City North West representative also worked at the same company and was questioned in January.

"They both emphatically deny the allegations," McDonald added.

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

A solicitor for Collins said he denies the allegations.

In a statement reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ, solicitor Frank Butimer said he accompanied his client to an appointment with detectives involved in the investigation in early January.

Collins was then arrested, detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act, and questioned for several hours by officers.

"He was made aware of the details of the allegations, which he hadn't heard before then," Mr Buttimer added.

"He fully co-operated with the garda enquiries and he denied any wrongdoing of any kind."

Source:
courtesy of BBC NEWS

by Kevin Sharkey

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