Red-faced Luke Ming Flanagan has finally admitted he was “corrupt and stupid” to get his penalty points written off.
The spliff-loving deputy rejected calls to quit despite his damning admission he had points quashed twice for using his mobile phone while driving.
It has also emerged the Roscommon TD claimed €649.99 at the expense of taxpayers for a new phone – but not a hands-free car kit.
Under the rules, deputies can claim €750 every 18 months for a new phone or phone equipment but Ming used his allowance on an iPhone 4 in September 2011.
Speaking to his local radio station on Wednesday, Deputy Flanagan said he knew he had let down his constituents and was sorry for his stupid mistake.
He said: “I don’t think it’s a resigning matter. I think there are a lot of other things I’ll be able to do for the people of Roscommon and South Leitrim, but there’s no question I have let people down.
“There is no denying that. For that, and to the people of Ireland, I am sorry. I have definitely
disappointed people. I have disappointed myself.”
Asked if he was a corrupt politician, Mr Flanagan replied: “On the issue of the penalty points, it was corrupt what I did. So draw your own conclusions.”
Ming has admitted to having points quashed twice despite taking part in a campaign to expose the abuse of the penalty points system.
He claimed he never asked to have them written off but a garda encouraged him to write to the station and claim he was on official Dail business, meaning he could escape prosecution.
The TD also claimed a senior county council official called him and sorted out his other two points.
But county manager Frank Dawson rejected the allegations on Wednesday stating he assumed he was the official referred to as the TD had told him in 2010 he was caught by gardai using a phone whilst driving outside council offices.
He said: “I will take all necessary steps to protect my good name and reputation. Today I am forwarding my account of this matter to the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Siochana in charge of the investigation. In this context it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.”
Mr Dawson cancelled his St Patrick’s Day trip to the United States to deal with the claims but it is believed another councillor, who was abroad, has jetted home to examine the allegations.
Ming’s friends Mick Wallace and Clare Daly rallied around him on Wednesday with Ms Daly laying the blame on the gardai for leaking the information.
Ms Daly said: “If you like, it sort of proves the culture is there that a garda came to him twice, more or less begging to have them written off.”
