Ethics watchdog seeks first ever prosecution

Longford Chamber of Commerce before courts over failure to file returns on time, but LCC secretary insists it is ‘a very venial sin’

Longford Chamber’s secretary Fintan McGill

The state’s ethics watchdog is pursuing its first ever prosecution in the courts under new anti-corruption laws.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) has confirmed that a case was opened in Longford District Court on July 20 against Longford Chamber of Commerce over failures with its lobbying returns.

It’s the first time since new lobbying laws were introduced three years ago that the regulator has sought a prosecution in court.

The court ...