FINE GAEL spent more than half a million euro on the disastrous presidential election campaign of Gay Mitchell, who was the only one of the seven candidates to record no donations.
Figures released by the Standards in Public Office Commission reveal €527,152.01 was incurred in expenses by the Dublin MEP, who came fourth in last October’s contest and was entitled to no reimbursement.
Candidates who won a quarter of a quota, which in the presidential election amounted to just over 12.5 per cent of the vote, are entitled to be reimbursed by the State for expenses up to €200,000.
A summary of Mr Mitchell’s election expenses shows that close to €160,000 was spent on posters, with almost €150,000 going on advertising and more than €50,000 on “market research”.
Donations of more than €634.87 must be declared to the commission. Mr Mitchell recorded “nil” cash donations. A Fine Gael spokeswoman said: “The party did not seek donations.”
Independent candidate Mary Davis, who came last in the election with 2.7 per cent of first preferences, incurred the second-highest expenses total, at more than €414,000. She also recorded the second-highest amount of donations, at more than €120,000.
Her donors included businessman Denis O’Brien, who donated as an individual a cheque for €2,500. He listed his address as 6th Floor, 1 Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, which is the headquarters of Communicorp Group Ltd.
Mr O’Brien’s wife, Catherine, with an address at Shrewsbury Road, Dublin, also gave a cheque for €2,500. Financier Dermot Desmond was another individual donor, giving a cheque for €2,500.
Mr Desmond also donated a cheque for €2,539 to David Norris’s campaign. Mr Norris spent €331,974.89 and is not entitled to recoup expenses.
Michael D Higgins received donations of more than €121,000, including €2,535 from trade union Siptu. Senior Labour figures including Tánaiste and party leader Eamon Gilmore and various Ministers also donated. Mr Higgins’s total spend was €359,935.48.
Independent candidate Seán Gallagher, who qualified for reimbursement of €200,000 of expenses, spent €323,318.45. He recorded donations worth €28,759.
Sinn Féin candidate Martin McGuinness spent more than €302,563 and was eligible for reimbursement.
