The Standards in Public Office Commission is to carry out an inquiry into a possible breach of ethics by a prominent Fianna Fáil councillor and the Fine Gael mayor of Killarney over an attempt to rezone lands.
Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick O'Donoghue, a director of Fáilte Ireland and a director of Tourism Ireland, is managing director of the Gleneagle Hotel Group. Fine Gael councillor Sheila Casey, mayor of Killarney, is an employee of the group.
The preliminary inquiry will revolve around an attempt to rezone lands at the Gleneagle Hotel, to town centre. Councillors voted by majority to rezone the lands which are 1.9km from the actual town centre.
However, town council management refused to proceed on the basis the lands were on the urban/rural boundary.
A statement issued by Kerry County Council yesterday said the Standards in Public Office Commission had appointed Paddy Walsh to carry out a preliminary inquiry.