The Daily Star Ireland
A solicitor representing Sinn Féin Councillor Kenneth Collins has stated that his client strongly denies allegations related to alleged financial irregularities at a company under investigation. The councillor was arrested and questioned by gardaí as part of the same inquiry that also involved Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould.
Frank Buttimer, Collins’ legal representative, confirmed that the councillor voluntarily attended Togher Garda Station for a scheduled meeting with investigators in early January. However, upon arrival, he was formally arrested and detained under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act. Collins was questioned for several hours before being released.
Collins, who has served on Cork City Council since 2014 as a representative for the north-west ward, maintains his innocence and insists he had no prior knowledge of the allegations before meeting with detectives. His solicitor emphasized that Collins fully cooperated with the investigation and firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Investigation Widens as Sinn Féin Addresses Arrests
The case has gained further attention following the arrest of Thomas Gould, who confirmed that he was also questioned regarding financial matters related to a company he was previously associated with. Gould has strongly rejected the claims against him, describing them as entirely baseless. He was released without charge after his interview with gardaí.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the matter, stating that the party was made aware of the situation in early February. She confirmed that multiple individuals have been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
In a separate statement through his legal representatives, Gould reaffirmed his innocence, expressing shock and anger over the allegations. He described the accusations as an attack on his reputation and stated that, given his ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, he proactively sought to cooperate with gardaí. Confident that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing, he maintained that he has done nothing improper.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine financial dealings linked to the case.
