Urgent Complaint Against Fine Gael’s Britto Pereppadan Referred to SIPO

UPDATE: A complaint against Fine Gael Councillor Britto Pereppadan regarding a €3,000 payment from an Indian nurse has just been referred to the Standards in Public Office Committee (SIPO) by South Dublin County Council. This urgent development raises serious questions about the legality of fees charged to migrant nurses working in Ireland.

The complaint centers around a payment that allegedly violates ethical standards. Pereppadan claims the money was for a personal debt owed to him by a business associate of his father, Baby Pereppadan. However, the circumstances surrounding the payment have sparked significant controversy as reports indicate it could be linked to unlawful agency fees.

In an investigation published in August 2025, The Journal Investigates revealed that Baby Pereppadan holds a 50% share in a recruitment agency, Angel Care Consultancy Limited, which is accused of charging migrant nurses excessive fees to secure employment in Irish care homes. These nurses reportedly paid between €3,000 and €3,600 in agency fees, in addition to their travel and examination costs.

One nurse indicated that she was directed to deposit her agency fee directly into Britto Pereppadan’s bank account. Britto stated he was unaware of the payment’s connection to recruitment fees, insisting it was simply repayment for a personal loan from his father’s business partner, Baby Valooran Kochuvarkey. Kochuvarkey, however, has previously maintained that all charges were transparent and related solely to application expenses.

Paul Murphy, a local TD with the People Before Profit party, has raised concerns over these allegations, calling for accountability from Fine Gael leadership. He stated, “The Fine Gael leadership cannot continue to sit on their hands. Do they stand over Cllr. Pereppadan continuing as a Fine Gael Councillor given the allegations that he was paid an illegal and exploitative agency fee?”

In response to the complaints, South Dublin County Council examined Baby Pereppadan’s situation and concluded no findings could be made against him, despite acknowledging he failed to disclose his role as a director of Angel Care on his ethics declarations. He has since amended these disclosures.

The council’s decision regarding Britto Pereppadan was different; they deemed the allegations serious enough to warrant a referral to SIPO. The mayor and chief executive reviewed the evidence and determined that it raised significant ethical questions.

As of now, Britto Pereppadan has not responded to requests for comment from The Journal. A Fine Gael spokesperson indicated that the party would await the outcome of SIPO’s review before deciding on any further actions.

This developing story highlights the ongoing scrutiny of ethical practices within local governance, particularly concerning the treatment of migrant workers in Ireland. As the investigation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how these allegations will impact the reputations of those involved and the broader implications for the Fine Gael party.

Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent matter as we bring you the latest developments.