Cork councillor faces hearing over comments made on radio show

Independent Ireland councillor Ken O’Flynn is to face a hearing next month by an organisation responsible for overseeing compliance with the ethics in public office, in relation to comments he made in a 2021 radio interview.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), an independent, non-partisan body, said an investigation hearing into what it said were “alleged contraventions of the Local Government Act 2001 and the Code of Conduct for Councillors” by Mr O’Flynn will be held in the commission’s offices on October 7.

A spokesperson for SIPO said: “Further details of [the] alleged contraventions will be heard at the investigation hearing.”

Mr O’Flynn, who intends on running for a Dáil seat in the Cork North Central constituency in the next general election, said the matter is in relation to a complaint over comments he made on The Neil Prendeville Show when discussing the Spring Lane halting site.

The councillor said that while he is taking the upcoming hearing “seriously”, he said he would not be deterred from “highlighting the issues” affecting his constituents.

The hearing on October 7 starts at 10am. SIPO said attendance by members of the public will only be facilitated online via Zoom.

Anyone wishing to observe the hearing is asked to contact the office by email via complaints@sipo.ie before 4pm on Friday, October 4. Remote login details will then be provided.

Those who wish to join online have been advised that the commission may, “where it considers it appropriate, direct that the whole or part of any hearing be held in private”.

Queries to SIPO can be made by calling 01 639 5666.