The Fianna Fáil group on Dublin City Council has said it hopes there will be a swift resolution to a Garda inquiry and an internal party investigation into photographs of a councillor hunched over what appeared to be a powder-like substance.
Last night's first sitting of Dublin City Council since the summer recess also marked the first public appearance of the councillor concerned, Fianna Fáil's Liam Kelly, since the photographs were published in a newspaper last month.
In a statement last night the Fianna Fáil council group said it had noted the recent "serious allegations" made against Mr Kelly but could not comment on the matter as it was subject to a Garda and an internal party investigation. It said it was awaiting the outcomes of both processes.
"This is an extremely difficult time for Cllr Kelly, his family and supporters, and we hope that this matter will be swiftly resolved," the statement said.
"The Fianna Fáil city councillors' group abhors the scourge of drugs, which has undermined the lives of so many Dubliners, and support all anti-drug initiatives."
Mr Kelly has denied that he was taking cocaine in the photographs published, and has made a formal complaint to the Garda that he has been the subject of a blackmail attempt.
The announcement of an internal party inquiry followed requests to Mr Kelly from Fianna Fáil's legal representatives for an explanation of his actions. He has told the party he was not using drugs but has to date not supplied a written explanation for what he was doing when photographed.