A Fianna Fáil member of Ennis Town Council has denied any wrongdoing and said that he did not even speak at a meeting about rezoning which would include land owned by his father on the outskirts of Ennis.
As a result of the move, Damien Reidy, father of Fianna Fáil councillor, Joe Reidy could have his land revalued to about €16.8 million - estimated from recent land-sales in the area which valued housing land at €240,000 an acre.
Members of Clare Co Council are expected to formally rezone the land at their September meeting following a recommendation by the council's executive planner, Bill Samsun, as part of the mid-term review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2003.
As a result of the plan, 22 parcels of land are being nominated for rezoning, with the largest owned by Mr Reidy at Clarecastle, two miles from Ennis.
At the meeting, Mr Reidy's land was recommended for rezoning and Cllr Reidy has said that he did not contribute to the discussion on the land.
However, two Green Party councillors, Brian Meaney and Donal O'Bearra said yesterday that he did speak on the issue. This version of events is contradicted by two other councillors who were at the meeting, Cllr Joe Carey (FG) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF).
Concern has already been expressed that Cllr Reidy failed to declare to colleagues at the planning meeting that a large tract of land to be rezoned was owned by his father. Cllr Reidy sent a letter to the council on Wednesday, March 30th, declaring his interest.
However, a copy of the letter secured through the Freedom of Information Act shows that the letter, dated March, 30th, was not received by the council until Monday, April 4th - four days after the planning meeting took place.
Cllr O'Bearra said yesterday: "I am quite sure that the only thing Cllr Reidy spoke about at the meeting was the item relating to his father's land." Cllr Meaney echoed this.
Cllr Daly said yesterday: "I am 100 per cent sure that Cllr Reidy didn't speak on the issue. He kept silent. I was supportive of the rezoning, as was Cllr Bernard Hanrahan."
Cllr Reidy said yesterday: "I didn't speak. I kept well out of it." As to the letter only arriving at the council until April, 4th, he said: "I don't know what happened with that. I posted it on March, 30th ."
