Niall Collins faces SIPO investigation over land sale

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) has launched a formal preliminary inquiry into Niall Collins, a Fianna Fáil Minister of State. The investigation follows complaints regarding a 2008 land sale by Limerick County Council to Mr. Collins’ wife.

The allegations stem from reports that while serving as a councillor, Mr. Collins participated in a local area committee meeting in January 2007 that discussed the potential sale of the land. The land in Patrickswell was eventually sold several months after he was elected to the Dáil in 2007.

SIPO noted that the inquiry could not proceed until a previous Garda investigation had concluded. While the Gardaí decided not to pursue the matter, SIPO will now move to the next stage to gather information and establish if there is prima facie evidence of a breach under the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. Mr. Collins has previously stated he is in “absolutely no doubt” that his actions were “at all times legally correct.”