Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
SENATOR MARY ANN O’Brien is deeply unhappy her name is mentioned in an RTÉ documentary that alleges a host of wrongdoing among politicians failing to disclose business interests.
The programme found that O’Brien, who is an independent Senator, held a company directorship she failed to declare.
The same was the case for Senator Tom Sheehan (Fine Gael), and TDs Áine Collins (Fine Gael), Noel Grealish (independent) and Tom Barry (Fine Gael).
In the programme, due to be aired at 9.35pm on RTÉ One, it is stated that each of the TDs and Senators blamed the issue on administration errors or a lack of understanding of the rules.
A directorship has to be declared regardless of the company’s size and and trading status, and whether or not it is paid.
The programme also features undercover footage of a journalist posing as a wind farm investor seeking help from politicians. It shows three councillors agreeing to help in return for money, or in one case, a possible loan in the future.
‘A huge story of corruption and fraud’
O’Brien released a statement today, distancing herself from the programme.
“I must clarify the situation and express my hurt and frustration that such a simple error of mine would be tangled into a huge story of corruption and fraud to be unveiled by RTE’s Primetime tonight.
For the record, this scandal about councillors seeking out bribes has absolutely nothing to do with me, and as such my name should be nowhere near this story.
“This undeclared directorship I hold is in relation to MLOM Limited which is a company incorporated by Lily O Brien’s back in 2002. This company was set up as an arm of the main Lily O’Brien’s company for research and development purposes and the company has not been used since 2009, and is in fact in the final stages of being wound up, post the acquisition of Lily O’Brien’s in January 2014. As such, it is a loose end that I genuinely totally forgot about as MLOM Ltd has not been used for many years.
I have taken the necessary steps of informing the Seanad office of this Directorship of MLOM, which was a complete omission on my behalf. Nothing more, nothing less. And for that I apologise.
O’Brien said that she had been in touch with RTÉ and other media outlets “so that they can put this omission into proper context”.
“I am extremely shocked, frustrated and hurt that my good name has already been tagged onto this story in newspaper and radio reports today.
As a Senator, and as a proud founder of Lily O’Brien’s, as well as being a co-founder and director of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation my name, my reputation and my integrity are so important to me. Therefore I felt it was really important to seek clarity and context about this matter.
Earlier, a Monaghan councillor who was secretly recorded asking for £10,000 said he was “taking the piss out of RTÉ” by playing along with the sting operation.
Councillor Hugh McElvaney also claimed that he is being targeted by a “dirty tricks campaign” led by his former party Fine Gael.
RTÉ Investigates Standards in Public Office airs tonight at 9.35pm.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
‘Customers urge Ulster Bank to go f themselves and will do what they like with their money’. The audacity of it, I understand like why they wouldn’t obviously want people to, but really they can’t dictate about how or when people solve a problem they created.
Can we just remember a few months back Ulster Bank said “don’t worry, we’ll sort it for you”.
Some of the comments here, and general Irish opinions, reminds me of the frog in a pot as the water boils. Right now, there is absolutely no competition in banking in Ireland, the major banks that remain are very high cost and offer no customer service. They will slowly close more branches, cut costs and increase fees and the Irish will have no option but to pay high costs while also saying “good riddance” to their only competition. Or, even more confusingly, the Irish will say “we will use credit unions” or “the post office”, showing a total and utter lack of understanding of banking and financial acumen. This is fast going the way of a Main Street banking crisis in Ireland and it’s being supported by the people who will be most effected by it, crazy stuff.
@Local Ore: This bank has been a complete disaster for years, as others have said good riddance.
@Ballybough Marcus: What are you talking about? The bank has had no more issues that the big 2, they are pulling out because NatWest thinks there’s no money to be made in the Irish market. Ulster Bank is a subsidy of NatWest who have over €1BN in Assets. As I said, frogs in boiling water, you are bidding good riddance but don’t know the consequence – Irelands banking is now consolidated to 2 banks (PTSB is no where near the other 2) who can apply massive upward pressure, they can increase fees and lower services, exactly like the insurance companies have. Irish people should be outraged and looking for reform in the sector but instead every ordinary joe on the street is celebrating their own misfortune.
@Local Ore: you’re right it is not competitive a d there is very little option. However, much of that is down to the fact that larger multi national banks would rather focus their attention on bigger markets or bigger potential, that isn’t here right now and it’s been well publicised that it’s an issue, can’t force banks to open here and until one sees it as an opportunity more than a risk or their other options then it’s likely to continue. As for saying good riddance to Ulster Bank, they’ve closed a long time before they announced it, was impossible to do any sort of business with them. The others are bad but they’d shit up shop long before they announced it.
@This time its personable!: My town of 10,000 hasn’t had a physical bank branch of any kind in donkeys years. But the Ulster Bank App has been excellent and the times I’ve had to travel to the nearest Ulster Bank branch have always resulted in excellent customer service so I’m sorry to see it go.
@Local Ore: i know what you mean. But there is Revolut for free accessible day-to-day banking. Just can’t do loans or mortgages with them.
More bank arrogance… Good riddance to them.
Would help if you could do it online instead of visiting branches or writing letters.
What happens if you close your account and still owe personal loan and overdraft?
@paul christopher cox: The bad loans will be sold to a recovery agency. What little peace a person has from a bad loan with a bank is nothing when compared to the recovery agencies. If you’re thinking this, I would reconsider.
I wonder if the other banks will start competing for the accounts.
@Sandra Duffy: since there’s only a handful left now Sandra I wouldn’t be at all surprised if their offer was a special one off – you to pay them to join as well as the other normal charges!
@Sandra Duffy: It would be nice but it won’t happen—–They’re a cartel —just like the meat factories and the Legal system!
I could have sworn i heard people having to get accounts quickly ….could just be rumors though
All them running out of the market as there won’t be any bail outs next time things go bust..
now we are stuck with three banks that the government will support. But will leave us, the customer frustrated from lack of customer service and branches and p*ssed off with the charges and interests they will charge.
Hmmmm maybe money in the mattress is the only option here…
have your say