The brother of a Fine Gael donor recorded as giving €1,000 to Lucinda Creighton when she was contesting a Dáil seat for the party was appointed to the board of Irish Water, The Irish Times has learned.

The Irish Water website lists Coleman Sheehy as one of its board members and says he is "involved in property investment and development".

He was appointed in November 2013, and his appointment was approved by then ministers Phil Hogan and Pat Rabbitte. The board fees are worth €15,000 annually.

Mr Sheehy, known as Frankie Sheehy, is listed as Colman Francis Sheehy in the Companies Registration Office (CRO) under records held for Irish Water.

In the CRO documents confirming his directorship of Irish Water, Mr Sheehy's occupation is listed as a property consultant and declares another directorship, of Melot Properties Limited.

Andrew Sheehy is listed as another director of Melot. Sources said the pair are brothers.

Andrew Sheehy is recorded under Standards in Public Office (SIPO) records as having donated €1,000 to Ms Creighton in 2007, when she contested and won a Dáil seat in Dublin South East.

Ms Creighton last said Andrew Sheehy “made a donation to my campaign in 2007, but I don’t really know the guy”.

Andrew Sheehy is known to socialise in Fine Gael circles, and numerous party figures said he is a close associate of Frank Quilter, a well-known figure in the party nationally.

Mr Quilter, from Lixnaw, in Co Kerry, is among a number of ten donors listed as having donated €1,000 each to Ms Creighton in 2007.

Sources said Mr Sheehy is originally from the Milltown area, Co Kerry, but his SIPO declaration lists his address as Cashel, Co Tipperary. Andrew Sheehy did not return calls last night, and Coleman Sheehy was not contactable. A spokeswoman for Irish Water did not return calls.

The company website also says Coleman Sheehy “spent some time in America, where he was involved in property investment and real estate with members of his family prior to returning to Ireland”.

"He is currently involved in property investment and real estate in Ireland, the UK and in central and eastern Europe. "