Cork TD Thomas Gould seeking to address Dáil over fraud allegations

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould has sought to address the Dáil about his questioning by the gardaí in an ongoing fraud case, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

It comes as news broke last weekend that Mr Gould had been arrested by arrangement and released without charge in relation to an alleged €150,000 business fraud almost a decade ago. Mr Gould said in a statement: “I am entirely innocent and reject the complaint which my former employer has made against me”, and he was confident that his position would be vindicated.

Detailed statement

Speaking to reporters yesterday afternoon, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that her party had become aware of the matter in February, and that Mr Gould has given a “detailed statement” to the gardaí.

“He emphatically rejects the accusations made against him and believes that he will vindicate himself in full, so the gardaí have a job to do, they need to get on with that,” said Ms McDonald.

“I understand that Thomas Gould has now contacted the Ceann Comhairle and he is seeking the opportunity to address the Dáil on this matter.”

The gardaí have said that investigations are ongoing, with a file expected to be prepared for the DPP. Mr Gould’s party colleague Kenneth Collins, a councillor for the city’s North-West ward, was also arrested by arrangement in January and released without charge in relation to the same case.

He also denies any wrongdoing of any kind.