Michael Healy-Rae has been asked about a fundraiser he set up to help pay for his election campaign by gardai.
The Independent TD had asked around 150 voters to buy tickets priced at €30 or two for €50 for a raffle, offering a top prize of €1,000.
However, gardai have queried the legality of the fundraiser - specifically the permit needed to hold the raffle.
A source earlier told the Irish Mirror that Mr Healy-Rae could face a probe by gardai.
The source said: “A query had been made regarding the fundraising draw.
“This is open now to a possible investigation by gardai.”
In his letter to his supporters Mr Healy-Rae said he does not receive any financial support as an Independent TD and was seeking a hand out in a bid to fund his reelection campaign.
Those who purchased a ticket could be in with the chance of winning cash prizes.
Punters could win the top prize of €1,000 while second prize is a sum of €700 and third, €300.
Mr Healy-Rae is the Dail’s biggest landlord with over 10 rental properties in Kerry as well as 110 acres of farmland, according to the official Oireachtas register of members’ interests.
He also has a service station in his native village of Kilgarvan.
He has previously been listed as the second richest politician in Leinster House.
When contacted by the Irish Mirror today, Mr Healy-Rae refused to comment about the fundraiser permit and said he will make a statement about the matter when he “is ready”.
And when asked why he isn’t paying for the cost of his own campaign, the Kilgarvan candidate reiterated: “I’ll make a statement and I’ll cover everything in that.”
He told RTE that he had been told the permit had been signed off on before he informed supporters about the raffle and he believes more paperwork will be sent by gardai to finalise it.
A Garda spokesman said: “Many applications are channelled through the District Office in Killarney and all Garda District offices in relation to the holding of permits for fundraising events, all applications are considered as per the legislation.
“In certain cases as the criteria is not reached, the application is refused.”
