The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is seeking an update from the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission(GSOC) as to the status of the criminal investigation it began six years ago into the alleged misuse of funds at Templemore Garda Training College.
In April 2021, the Committee was told the investigation was “now at an advanced stage, with some final statements being arranged” and it would be completed “as rapidly as possible”. GSOC has confirmed that as of last week the investigation is not complete.
Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy says the delay is not acceptable. Ms Murphy is Deputy Chair of the PAC and says she will be seeking a presentation from GSOC in September when the Dáil resumes. An Garda Síochána also launched an internal investigation into the controversy six years ago. A Garda internal audit report in 2017 revealed a complex web of Garda bank accounts, with some used for purposes other than those for which they were intended. They included buying gifts, spending on entertainment and sponsoring Garda clubs. GSOC has been investigating allegations that EU funds may have been diverted to a bank account in Dublin, the so-called Cabra Account, amid questions over what the money was used for. The European Anti Fraud agency informed the Public Accounts Committee in 2021 that it’s investigation was “currently closed.”
It is understood that Garda had responded to an offer from Olaf to comment on the “summary of the facts concerning their investigation”. The only response from An Garda Siochana to Olaf was to ask that the agency “not publish the names of the persons involved, as to do so may prejudice any possible criminal prosecution.”
