A second man, 58-year-old Michael Ryan of Kilgobnet, Cappa, Dungarvan – who has another address at the Sweepstakes in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 – also appeared on corruption charges.

The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation in County Waterford.

Forsey, a former driving instructor, became a Fine Gael representative on Dungarvan Town Council in 2003 after his predecessor John Deasy resigned, before retiring himself four years later, for a new life in Australia.

Judge Gerard Haughton heard how the former Dungarvan deputy mayor was still living in Australia, when gardaí first made contact with him.

Gardaí told the court how he arranged to meet them, but travelled to the UK instead. They said they fear he might flee the jurisdiction, as he has ‘no tenancy here’ at present.

Forsey’s solicitor, Paddy Gordon, said that his client had only arrived in Ireland the day before the wedding and ‘had intended’ going to meet gardaí in Dungarvan. Both men were granted consent to bail on independent sureties of €20,000, with €1,500 in cash to be lodged.

The men were ordered not to contact any witnesses connected to the case and to inform gardaí of any movement outside the country.

Forsey must also sign on at a garda station in Dungarvan three times a week.

Judge Haughton adjourned the matter to a sitting of the District Court in Clonmel on Tuesday, 10 August.