Fine Gael minister of state Josepha Madigan has never declared her ownership of a commercial property since she was elected to the Dáil in 2016.
TDs are required under ethics acts to declare their property interests annually. Madigan was required to declare her interest in this property even if it didn't return her any rental income.
The special education minister has co-owned the property since 2005 and also failed to declare it when she served as a county councillor from 2014 to 2016, which is a criminal offence.
The Ditch can also reveal there is a District Court judgment mortgage registered on the property’s folio against one of its co-owners.
Never declared, refuses to comment
Josepha Madigan bought the Dublin 22 property, along with her brother and two business partners, in 2006. They took out a €540,000 mortgage on it, which remains outstanding according to Land Registry records.
The Rathdown TD has never declared any rental income from the property in any of her annual Dáil registers of interests over the last six years.
Images from Google Maps however indicate that the property is being used by a furniture retailer.
Madigan, a former practising solicitor, was first elected to Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) in 2014 where she served as a local councillor until her election to the Dáil in 2016.
She didn’t declare her interest in the Dublin commercial unit while she was a councillor, according to annual ethics returns released by DLRCC.
Councillors who fail to declare their property interests face imprisonment of up to two years if convicted under the Local Government Act 2001.
Madigan has declared other commercial property assets in her Dáil returns.
According to her most recent declaration of interests for 2021, she co-owns property at 167 Kimmage Road and Unit 1, Rowlagh Industrial Park. Madigan has however never declared her quarter share in 3 Chaplain’s Place, Rowlagh Village, Dublin 22.
One of Madigan’s partners in the undeclared property has encountered difficulties with his investment.
Co-owner of the retail property Sean Solon had a judgment mortgage registered against his quarter share in the property in 2012. The judgment came after Devondale Ltd and Carrigmore Domain Management Company Ltd sued him successfully in the District Court.
Madigan declined to comment when asked if she received rental income from the property.
