Council probe into ‘financial irregularities’ still not finalised

Seamus Enright

Almost 12 months after allegations of financial irregularities at Cavan County Council involving hundreds of thousands of euro came to light, the investigation remains ongoing and it is still unclear whether further investigations need to take place.
It initially involved payment of certain invoices over a number of years in the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District area.
The Anglo-Celt can reveal that the office of Local Government Oversight and Governance at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government last November received an interim report into the alleged breach of financial procedures.
Initially investigated at Council level, following the appointment of former Wicklow CEO Eddie Sheehy, the scope of the investigation was however expanded following a Protected Disclosure made to then Minister for Housing Simon Coveney in early April 2017.
It made “a number of serious allegations” and the Department demanded to be provided with a copy of the investigation report, including any findings or conclusions and actions taken, as well as any plans for future further investigation.

Scope widened
Responding, Council Chief Executive Tommy Ryan committed to widening the scope of the investigation to include all matters “outlined” in the protected disclosure made to the Minister.
In May 2017, Mr Ryan again wrote to the Department assuring them that the investigation was being conducted in a “thorough, robust and methodical manner” and said it was expected to conclude “within the next few weeks”.
In August 2017, Director of Services at Cavan County Council, Joe McLoughlin, informed an official in Local Government Oversight and Governance that the investigation was at that stage “substantially complete”.
It was further noted Mr Sheehy, as investigator, felt “it might be helpful” should the person who made the protected disclosure to the Minister agree to meet him “at a venue” of their choice.
The individual, however, declined the offer, with a Department official informing Mr McLoughlin that the individual in question “did not wish to engage” with the Council's investigation.
Mr McLoughlin wrote to the department on November 21 with an enclosed copy of the interim report completed by Mr Sheehy. The report outlined “progress on the investigation to date and the outstanding works that must be completed prior to the conclusion of the investigation”.
Earlier this year a series of questions concerning the investigation were submitted by the Celt to Cavan County Council under the Freedom of Information Act. This request was refused but this newspaper has since appealed that decision.
Among the reasons for refusal is that the Council, as the body dealing with the request under the Freedom of Information Act, decided it would not serve the public interest to allow access to records where there is an ongoing investigation and where it is still unclear as to whether further investigations need to take place.
Further requests for information have been lodged with the Department of Local Government.

Update on investigation
Meanwhile, asked for an update on the status of the investigation,  a spokesperson for the council confirmed yesterday afternoon: “Cavan County Council is not in a position to provide an update on the investigation at present. 
“The appointed investigator is still in place. The appointed investigator is not an employee of the council.”