Councillor admits faking letter from Taoiseach
A Fianna Fáil county councillor today admitted full responsibility for a false letter signed by the Taoiseach which was sent to voters before polling day.
Some 2,000 Oireachtas envelopes containing letters, purportedly signed by Mr Ahern, were circulated in Co Wexford urging voters to give their first preferences to Councillor Lorcan Allen.
Cllr Allen apologised to Mr Ahern and his party-running mate, Pat Rath, who failed to be elected to Wexford County Council at the recent local elections.
A statement from Fianna Fáil said Cllr Allen had accepted full responsibility for this false letter and apologised unreservedly to members and supporters of the organisation in Wexford.
The former Minister of State, who was voted in on the ninth count for Gorey in Co Wexford at the recent elections, also admitted his use of pre-paid Oireachtas envelopes was wrong.
Cllr Allen said he is making arrangements to pay back the costs involved to the State agencies.
Fianna Fáil said it would be contacting all TDs, Senators and Councillors to warn them of the official rules guiding the use of pre-paid Oireachtas envelopes.
The party also said it would be warning them of the protocol of issuing letters from Mr Ahern.
Mr Allen issued the statement after today’s meeting with the party’s general secretary, Sean Dorgan, over the incident.
The councillor, who has already taken up his position on Wexford County Council, said there would not be repeat of the incident.
