This article is from page 4 of the 2006-01-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A PRIVATE detective, employed by controversial Clare businessman, Paddy Whelan in the past, was present at Clare County Council’s chamber for the crucial vote in relation to Cahercon pier last week, The Clare People has learned.
Co Meath-based private detective, Billy Flynn (55) was seated in the public gallery where he observed the discussion and subsequent vote against listing Cahercon pier in the Clare County Development Plan as a recorded protected structure.
The private sleuth has also been employed in the past by Mr Whelan to gather information about some of Mr Whelan’s competitors, and Mr Flynn is hailed as the man who exposed the McBrearty frame-up by Donegal Gardai.
His work for the McBrearty family was praised in the most recent Morris Tribunal report into allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal.
It is not known if Mr Flynn is still retained by Mr Whelan, though his presence at last Monday’s crunch council meeting is a strong indication that he continues to work for the Clare businessman.
Mr Flynn was seated to the right in the front row of the public gallery at the meeting next to the podium used by the council for presentations.Asked to comment on Mr Flynn’s presence at last Monday’s meeting, Mr Whelan said: “I have no comment on that issue.”
When contacted yesterday, Mr Flynn told The Clare People : “I was there to observe proceedings for an unidentified client to ensure that matters were dealt with properly on the day.”
Councillor Brian Meaney (Green) commented: “It is a bewildering turn of events. I wasn’t aware of Mr Flynn’s presence and I would like to know in what capacity he was there. Was it an information gathering exercise? Who was he gathering the information for? I believe that Mr Flynn should clarify why he was at the meeting.”
Councillor Christy Curtin (Ind) said: “I was not aware of this man’s presence, nor have I ever heard of him. As far as I am concerned, there should be no restriction on any member of the public attending meetings. Everyone is entitled to be there. Clare County Council is an open and transparent body.
Terence Corry, spokesman for Kildysart Explosives Factory Opposition Group (KEFOG) said he had no comment on Mr Flynn’s presence at the meeting. He said: “I have never heard of this man.”
As part of his work into Garda corruption in Co Donegal, Mr Flynn employed seven investigators, took 375 statements and submitted 117 reports on the case to the then Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, dating back to June 1997.