Following a campaign spearheaded by Village magazine (fair play, etc)…
The government will appoint a barrister to investigate claims made by Gerard Convie, a former planner in Donegal, about the system of planning permissions in the county.
Finally.
The former civil servant has made several attempts to have his allegations investigated by the Department of the Environment.
The Irish Independent can reveal that a senior counsel will travel to Donegal to investigate the allegations, at the request of Environment Minister Alan Kelly.
Mr Kelly made the decision to appoint the barrister after examining the allegations and on the advice of the Office of the Attorney General.
The barrister will interview Mr Convie and council officials as part of the probe.
Among the cases highlighted by Mr Convie are a petrol station which operated for over 10 years despite never having secured planning permission.
Among the cases highlighted by Mr Convie are a petrol station which operated for over 10 years despite never having secured planning permission.
Whistleblower planning claims set to be probed (Niall O’Connor, Independent.ie)
Previously: The Planning Whistleblower
(Photocall Ireland)
Ooh, I love the smell of an impending whitewash.
exactly. this should be a garda led criminal investigation. can I suggest that they arrest all suspects one at a time with at least 10 gardai?
Oh good. Let’s hope they get round to Co. Carlow one of theses days where, by all accounts, they’re at it again with the howsyourfather.
Isn’t Convie ,allegedly of course, just poacher turned gamekeeper, didn’t he get caught giving himself planning permission and was helped out the door and is now cranky??