Multiple investigations into suspected fraud at the Garda Training College are underway.
It’s after it emerged a Dublin bank account contained funds from the European Union, which the Garda Commissioner says closed in 2010.
The Comptroller and Auditor General has told the Public Accounts Committee that he should have been informed of irregularities in Templemore when the Commissioner was aware of them.
This morning it emerged that the head of internal audit in the Gardai had written to the Public Accounts Committee raising concerns of suspected fraud at the Garda college. Up until now, issues at Templemore were simply referred to as irregularities.
Appearing again at the Public Accounts Committee, the Garda Commissioner revealed that the matter has been referred to several offices, including to the European Anti-fraud office, OLAF.
Reports this morning centre on an account in Cabra in Dublin, where it’s alleged that EU funds were held.
It’s reported the money intended for training was used for flights and entertainment.
Noirin O’Sullivan said the account was open from 1999 to 2010, and that the key timelines predated her time as Commissioner, and that of her predecessor Martin Callinan.
Labour’s Alan Kelly asked who had control of the account at the time it closed.
Ms O’Sullivan was also asked why in July 2015 the Comptroller and Auditor General was not made aware of irregularities at Templemore.
C&AG Seamus McCarthy told the Committee he didn’t know what information the Commissioner had at the time, but he should have been told if there were issues.
Ms O’Sullivan says with hindsight, she would have made an effort to inform the spending watchdog.
The hearing continues.
