A former Wicklow town clerk was in Bray District Court yesterday charged with corruption during the time he was an official with the local authority.
Frank O’Toole (63), with an address in Wicklow town, appeared before Judge David Kennedy in relation to an allegation of issuing a letter “for the purpose of corruptly obtaining an advantage for another person or persons contrary to section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2001”.
Sgt Donal O’Sullivan of Bray Garda station told the court that he had arrested the defendant at about 10.30am having met him by appointment at the court house.
The date of the alleged offence was June 9th, 2006, a month before the end of Mr O’Toole’s 10 years in the position of town clerk of Wicklow Town Council. He moved to Wicklow County Council in 2006 and is now retired. Sgt O’Sullivan gave the court evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the judge that the defendant made no reply after caution. Mr O’Toole did not say anything during the short appearance.