Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)

Absolutely. A Cahersiveen man had avoided a conviction for election fraud after he cast a vote in the local election in June 2024 using a polling card that was not in his name. This polling card was registered to an address in Killarney and had been in a tractor along with several others and that one was missing from the tractor. It is quite extraordinary to learn that in a case where a guilty plea was made by the accused to the serious charge of voter fraud, the plea went without a conviction or, as is becoming clearer, a thorough investigation into the facts of the incident. It has made a mockery of our democracy.

It appears at no time was the accused asked who had requested or organised for him to cast a vote under another person's identity. It is also emerging that gardaí incorrectly told the journalists covering the court that no case was being heard and therefore no attendance by the journalists was warranted. This situation has the effect of undermining people's faith in democracy and our democratic institutions. At a time when democracy is being challenged throughout the world, it is totally unacceptable.

The Department of justice and-or the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, the Electoral Commission and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage should review this case and make sure we have a far more robust defence of the laws around voting and the integrity of the voting process. People contest these elections in truth and honesty and in the belief they can represent their people in a fair electoral contest.

I also question An Garda Síochána and the Minister on a separate irregularities case related to the supplementary register in the Killarney local electoral area, which has seen a long investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, and An Garda Síochána into alleged improper stamping of supplementary photo applications, where the many applicants were not present to prove identities. This dates back six years to 2019, with a file referred and pending decision since April 2024. I call on the Minister for justice to come to the Seanad to explain and review these cases. This has made a total mockery of our democratic society.