A major internal investigation is to be launched by the Department of Social and Family Affairs amid fears internal documents relating to the illness benefit entitlements of a leading Longford politician were leaked to a national newspaper.
On Tuesday, reports alleging Longford County Mayor, Cllr Peggy Nolan was claiming €10,000 a year in disability payments along with over €50,000 gross for her work as an elected representative emerged in the national press.
The Star Newspaper claimed Cllr Nolan has been in receipt of weekly €196 payments for the past two years following an injury the Fine Gael councillor sustained during a fall almost five years ago.
Since the revelations speculation has concentrated on how details concerning Cllr Nolan’s social welfare entitlements managed to fall into the hands of the national media.
Now, it would appear the controversy has taken another, twist after senior officials from within Minister Mary Hanafin’s department confirmed to www.longfordleader.ie on Wednesday evening that an inquiry had already been set in motion.
Read more in the Longford Leader.