A LOCAL councillor, running in this year’s election, could face prosecution by the Gardai and the courts after he stated that he would not remove a selection of campaign posters that are potentially illegal.

Fine Gael councillor, Paddy Kavanagh made the comment when contacted by this newspaper in relation to the billboards which are situated on some link roads into Enniscorthy.

The posters, which Cllr. Kavanagh said were printed locally, do not bear the legally required imprint with details of the printer’s name and address.

When contacted by The Echo, Cllr. Kavanagh, who is seeking his third term in a row, in the Co. Council, said that he was not aware that printer details had to be printed on election materials. Cllr. Kavanagh does have other party-produced posters which do bear the imprint.

“It’s news to me,” remarked Cllr. Kavanagh commenting on the imprint requirement.

When asked if he would remove the illegal posters, he said he would not and when asked if he would do so if ordered to he responded: “Who’s going to order me?”

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government explained the penalty for displaying posters without the required imprint:

“Where a person is guilty of an offence, such person shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €634.87 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”

In response to being informed of a potential Garda investigation, Cllr. Kavanagh replied: “Whatever will be, will be.”