A solicitor representing one of two officials at the centre of an investigation by Kerry County Council about alleged planning irregularities yesterday confirmed he had replied to queries posed by the council last August.
However, Killorglin solicitor Mr Liam Crowley said he did not wish to comment further on council investigations into his client, Killarney town engineer Mr Donal Mangan.
The internal investigation into two officials was put in train following complaints from members of the public who made "specific allegations in relation to the involvement of the officials in certain planning applications", according to a statement from the council.
The Sunday Business Post yesterday carried an article naming Mr Mangan as one of the officials being investigated.
Mr Mangan was found early last year to have carried out "unauthorised" works on his lands at Whitefield, Beaufort, 10 miles from Killarney. His employers, Kerry County Council, served a warning notice on him on February 7th to stop site clearance works and asked him to restore the site. The site has now been restored, it is under stood.
County manager Mr Martin Nolan provided a written report on the matter to the council last April. In his report, Mr Mangan was described as having made "a significant contribution" through his work over many years for Kerry County Council.
It is understood most of the allegations about Mr Mangan arise from an inquiry by a conservation group member following tree felling at his lands.