Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that people are “innocent until proven otherwise” as gardaí confirm they are “assessing” an element of the Niall Collins controversy.
Minister Collins has repeatedly denied that he broke the law by attending a local area meeting in January 2007 during which the sale of a plot of land in Patrickswell was initially discussed.
The Fianna Fáil TD confirmed on Tuesday that he knew his wife, Dr Eimear O’Connor, had expressed interest in the site when he attended that meeting.
READ MORE: Leinster House hit with massive electricity bill - up 216% on previous year despite energy use cuts
The land was later sold to Ms O’Connor in September 2008, by which stage Mr Collins had been elected to the Dáil.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Mirror that it has launched an “assessment” into whether codes governing councils had been broken.
They said: “An Garda Síochána is carrying out an assessment, to examine whether there was any criminality involved in respect of certain matters related to alleged breaches of the Local Government Act, 2001 in the Southern Garda Region.
“This is not a criminal investigation at this time.”
The spokesperson would not comment on other queries asked by the Mirror, including whether or not this took place on the back of a complaint.
They added: “As this is currently being assessed there is no further information available.”
When asked by the Irish Mirror if Minister Collins’ position was tenable if the Garda assessment made a finding against him, the Tánaiste said that people are innocent until proven guilty.
Mr Martin said: “Any person can make a complaint against any other person to the Gardaí. That happens.
“Whether there's a basis to such complaints or not is a matter for the gardaí to determine.
“In our country and our democracy, people are innocent until proven otherwise.
“That has to remain the fundamental principle underlining any such complaints that are sent in by anybody to the gardaí in any location.”
During his first appearance in front of the media on Tuesday afternoon, Minister Collins repeatedly stated that he does not believe he broke the law.
He said: “I didn't break the law. It was my judgement back then and it's still my judgement today.
“The law says in relation to a pecuniary or a beneficial interest. It was my judgement back then that I didn't break the law. It's my judgement now that I didn't break the law.
“With the benefit of hindsight and given the perception that has now arisen with some, it would have been better had I recused myself from the meeting.”
READ NEXT:
'There was a big bang and crash before lightning blew the chimney off my house in Dublin'
Facebook undercharged for electricity in Ireland as households feel sting of sky high bills
Jury rules former US President Donald Trump sexually abused columnist E. Jean Carroll in luxury shop
Euphoria season three reportedly filming in iconic Dublin nightclub
Ireland weather: Met Eireann predicts washout week before weekend highs of 19C
Get all the latest updates when your sign up for the Irish Mirror newsletters
