Independent councillor Gavin Pepper is accused of making a “threatening phone call” to a fellow councillor in the same local electoral area.
Richad Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, confirmed the investigation at a special council meeting held on Tuesday, where councillors gathered to discuss the “growing issue of misinformation, particularly regarding immigration”.
Whilst the specifics of the investigation were not mentioned, it was confirmed that two complaints filed against Cllr Pepper came from People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy.
Mr Shakespeare also confirmed that if a councillor is found to be “in breach of the rules”, they may face sanctions.
“Where complaints are made, under ethics legislation, there is a process to follow, however long it may take,” he said.
“You may not be happy with the pace at which they are dealt with, but the important thing is they are done properly and in accordance with statute.”
Cllr Reddy told the Irish Independent that the reason behind his first complaint was a “threatening phone call” from an unknown number, which he believes to be from Cllr Pepper.
The caller allegedly stated that Cllr Reddy was “spreading lies” about Cllr Pepper.
“I didn’t feel massively threatened myself, but I think it’s clear the intent was to threaten me and intimidate me,” Cllr Reddy said.
“The reason I lodged the complaint was my concern that if he is allowed to get away with this, he will intimidate someone else, either another councillor, someone local, or someone who works for the council,” he added.
The second complaint lodged by Cllr Reddy relates to an incident in September at a North West area meeting.
Cllr Reddy said he proposed a motion to condemn attacks on asylum seekers in Finglas and the “spreading of misinformation” online about migrants, when he was interrupted by Cllr Pepper.
According to Cllr Reddy, Cllr Pepper “spoke over himself and the chair” and proceeded to claim the entire local electoral area, including Ballymun-Finglas, were “racists and fascists”.
Cllr Reddy described the comments as “defamation” and “slander”, which led him to lodge the second complaint.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, Cllr Pepper addressed the allegations, saying he had been the target of “misinformation and disinformation”, including claims that he was a “terrorist” and a “landlord”.
Mr Shakespeare, who was also present, mentioned that sanctions could be imposed on a councillor if a complaint was upheld, but declined to speculate on what that might entail.
Dublin City Council also confirmed the complaints process has been initiated, noting that it would “not comment further” while the process is ongoing.
Cllr Gavin Pepper has been contacted by the Irish Independent on the claims against him.
