Lucan groups in election funding row

A furious political row has broken out in Lucan over a decision by residents groups to endorse two local election candidates.

Lucan Together for Quality of Life and the Finnstown Input Group have paid for advertisements in local newspapers which "acknowledge" the support given by independent councillor Derek Keating and Cllr Fintan McCarthy of the Greens.

However, Labour says the advertisements break the rules on funding of election candidates and the groups should "redress" the situation by stating publicly that they they were published in error.

Labour Senator Johanna Tuffy said the groups should have obtained a certificate from South Dublin County Council regarding its intention to incur expenditure on candidates. Alternatively, the two named candidates could have formally requested them to run the advertisements.

Fine Gael candidate Mr Joe MacEnri accused the residents of being "political and partisan". In a letter to the groups, he said he had "kept all his promises" and "deeply resented the snub" involved.

A spokesman for the groups said they had decided not to comment further "because of the possibility of legal consequences".

It is understood the groups have since declared the advertisements to the council.