GSOC confirm 'public interest investigation' into Kerry voter registration
The Garda Ombudsman, GSOC, has opened “a public interest investigation” into alleged irregularities in voter registration in Kerry.
A full garda investigation is also underway into allegations surrounding registration forms for the supplementary electoral register and a garda superintendent from outside the Kerry Division has been assigned to the matter.
The enquiry centres on the Killarney electoral area, it is understood. The central allegation is that that large numbers of forms, involving up to 200 additional voters, or voters who were changing address, were stamped by a garda in a garda station without the presence of the voters asking to be registered, as required.
On Wednesday said GSOC said they were aware of the matter.
The GSOC investigation is under Section 102 (4) of the Garda Siochana Act, 2005 which means it has opened without a complaint having been made.
Under those provisions, the Garda Ombudsman may if it appears desirable in the public interest and without receiving a complaint, investigate any matter that appears to indicate that a member of the garda may have committed and offence, or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
The matter had been raised at the monthly meeting of Kerry County Council on Monday and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was called on to conduct an “immediate” full investigation into the allegations surrounding registration forms for the supplementary electoral register in County Kerry.
The supplementary register was revealed to candidates at Wednesday, lunchtime. It contains over 2,700 additional voters. Some 250 applications were rejected by the council, though this was not to do with the current investigation, the council has said.
Candidates have said they fear that a legal challenge will be brought if results are tight.
