INVESTIGATION: THE self-styled whistleblower behind a series of claims against county councillors over their expenses has yet to successfully establish any of the allegations.
Cllr David Alcorn is just the latest in a series of councillors to have mud thrown at him anonymously.
A number of allegations were made against him today. In a statement he denied them and said he looked forward to establishing the truth.
The poison pen letter writer appears, on the face of it, to have access to council documents – or could be falsifying claims against them.
For example a few weeks ago the ‘whistleblower’ made allegations about expenses against Cllr Dessie Larkin.
The claims were widely reported by those who received the information.
But further investigations by Donegal Daily found the claims to be bogus.
One claim made by the self-styled ‘whistleblower’ in Cllr Larkin’s case was that he had claimed for being at two events on the same day and claimed expenses for them.
The reality was that the Letterkenny politician had represented the council at one event and was reimbursed for mileage.
He did NOT attend the other event on the same day and had NOT made a claim. He did receive a portion of a small annual fee he received for sitting on that cross-Border organisation. This was paid automatically whether he attended or not.
The ‘whistleblower’ however had put the two payments together in a document to make it look like Larkin was fiddling his expenses. He wasn’t.
Yet more allegations were made against Brian O Domhnaill, now a Senator, relating to his time on Donegal County Council.
Again the claims were widely reported without any investigation.
“I’m not in the least bit worried about it,” said O Domhnaill at the time, “I can assure you I’m on very solid ground.”
It’s understood all three politicians have consulted solicitors over the claims and may seek redress through the courts.
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