Late Kirklees councillor was arrested for alleged sexual offence before his death
Cahal Burke died suddenly earlier this month
The late Kirklees councillor, Cahal Burke, was arrested on suspicion of an online sexual offence in the days before his death.
Cahal Burke, 48, died suddenly on Monday, March 9. The former Kirklees councillor had represented the Lindley ward from 2010 and served as a representative of the Liberal Democrats until his suspension from the group on Wednesday, March 4. He was then listed as an independent.
Since then, it has come to light that Cllr Burke, of Dean Street in Lindley, had been arrested on suspicion of an online sexual offence on Thursday, February 26. He was then released on bail. The investigation remains ongoing.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Officers attended an address on Dean Street, Lindley, during the morning of Thursday, February 26 as part of an ongoing investigation.
“A 48-year-old man was arrested from an address on suspicion of an online sexual offence.
“He was released on bail and enquiries remain ongoing by Kirklees District Police.”
Kirklees Council was approached for comment. Leader of the Lib Dem group, Cllr John Lawson was also approached for comment but did not feel it appropriate due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Councillor Burke served as Mayor of Kirklees between 2023 and 2024, and took on the role of Chair on the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Over the years, he held the posts of Deputy Leader and Group Business Manager of the Lib Dems, as well as sitting on planning and licensing committees.