A Fine Gael councillor has admitted he failed to declare his co-ownership of a Dublin 4 property valued at more than €1 million. Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown councillor Pierce Dargan did however declare his current private residence.
Contacted this afternoon Dargan maintained he didn’t have to declare his quarter-share of the Ballsbridge property, saying Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council had told him in writing it wasn’t necessary.
When asked to read this correspondence he said, "I'm on a phone, dude."
Councillors who fail to declare assets or income face up to two years' imprisonment under ethics legislation.
Dargan, who owns a horse trainer software company, was elected to Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council earlier this year.
He didn’t declare his co-ownership of a €1.25 million Ballsbridge property in his ethics declaration filed in June this year. According to the Land Registry he took co-ownership of the Clyde Road house in November 2022.
Dargan told The Ditch he didn't have to declare the property because he owned it with his siblings. "It's a family home," he said. "I got married and moved out but it's my family's place."
The councillor said he had written confirmation from the council that he didn’t have to declare it. "I specifically wrote and asked about this and was told I didn't have to. I'm pretty sure," he said, before adding, "I don't want to be quoted on that because I want to double check this."
Dargan said he was looking at an email proving his correspondence with the council but declined to share it with The Ditch. He also declined to name the council official with whom he corresponded.
He later called The Ditch back to clarify he owns the property with his three brothers. "I just wanted to clarify – you thought I owned this property by myself. I don't."
