Sinn Fein public representatives in north Kerry have vowed to continue to help constituents recover stolen property. This is despite warnings by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, on Thursday that there were no circumstances under which this activity could be within the law.
Mr Martin Ferris, a Sinn Fein councillor and general election candidate in Kerry North, said what they were doing was strictly within the law. Stolen property was recovered by Sinn Fein making contacts with the culprits through their family and friends. He strongly denied that vigilante tactics were used.
Mr O'Donoghue said: "It seems to me there are no circumstances in which a law-abiding citizen could go about reducing crime in this manner."
He added: "It is anticipated files will be sent to the DPP, who will have the final decision on making prosecutions."
The prosecutions would relate "to allegations made in relation to the whole question of interfering with Garda investigations in Kerry", he said.
Since reports appeared that Sinn Fein party activists were engaged in investigating crimes, the party has been contacted by people looking for help in recovering stolen property, Mr Ferris had told the Kerryman.