Deputy Ming Flanagan accused police of corruption but had penalty points quashed

Irish politician admits he is corrupt but refuses to quit his seat in parliament

By: PATRICK COUNIHAN | Published Thursday, March 14, 2013, 7:53 AM | Updated Thursday, March 14, 2013, 7:53 AM

An Irish politician who has admitted he is corrupt is refusing to give up his seat in parliament.

Roscommon Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan is the eye of the storm over a series of driving offences.

The independent deputy had led a campaign in the parliament against police corruption.

He claimed late last year that officers had quashed penalty points for a number of high profile celebrities from across Irish life.

Now it has emerged that Flanagan himself had penalty points quash – months after he denied the allegations in a series of newspaper interviews.

But Flanagan has told his local radio station Shannonside that he will not be quitting despite admitting his part in a ‘corrupt’ action.

The Irish Sun reports that Ming admitted: “It was corrupt what I did. For that, to the people of Ireland, I am sorry I have let them down.

“But I don’t think it’s a resigning matter. I think there are a lot of other things I’ll be able to do for the people of Roscommon and South Leitrim.”

The heat on Flanagan has been increased after Roscommon County Manager Frank Dawson denied that he had intervened to have Ming’s penalty points wiped.

Dawson has cancelled a St Patrick’s Day trip to the US to remain at home and fight Flanagan’s claims that he was let off penalty points by a police sergeant and a senior council official.

Dawson fumed: “I assume I am the official Deputy Flanagan is referring to.

“I utterly reject his allegations that I ‘sorted out his penalty points issue for him’. I will take all necessary steps to protect my good name and reputation.

“Today I am forwarding my account of this matter to the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Siochana (police).”