Irish Rail Call in Garda Fraud Squad.

dub_commuter

THE Garda Fraud Squad has been called in by Irish Rail to investigate allegations of financial irregularities that could cost the company as much as €1m.

The allegations are believed to centre on claims that bogus invoices were submitted to the state transport company for work that was not carried out.

The amount of money allegedly misappropriated is believed to be in the high six figures and could potentially run to as much as €1m, according to sources.

It is not clear when the irregularities were discovered, but the board of Irish Rail referred the matter to the Garda Fraud Squad in recent months. Detectives are expected to take a formal statement of complaint from the company in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail confirmed that an investigation was "ongoing" but declined to comment further.

The fraud probe concerning irregularities at Irish Rail is in its early stages, but is likely to become a major investigation.

Meanwhile, a separate internal inquiry is underway into an employee who was accused of misusing company resources.

The inquiry is thought to have been prompted by allegations that contractors hired to work for Irish Rail had also carried out work for an employee, allegedly at the expense of the company.

Irish Rail confirmed earlier this year that an individual had been transferred to elsewhere in the CIE Group and confirmed that an investigation was ongoing.

The garda investigations have come at an awkward time for the CIE Group, which oversees rail and bus services.

The group is under severe financial pressure since its budget was cut by €10m.

In addition, financial controls in state agencies have come under unprecedented scrutiny following the economic downturn, and revelations of profligate spending on expenses and foreign travel that took place at the state training agency, Fas.

The controversy that followed those revelations sparked the resignation of Fas' former head, Rody Molloy.

Gardai are also investigating alleged financial irregularities at the training agency which emerged during internal audits.

The CIE Group is reportedly considering selling assets and increasing passenger fares in order to make up the funding deficit.

Spending within the organisation, including wage bills, overtime and bonuses, is also being reviewed.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/garda-fraud-squad-to-probe-financial-irregularities-at-irish-rail-1734457.html

corktina

that title is a little misleading...perhaps you might amend it?

Ham'nd'egger

Was this story or similar to it not covered in the print media before?

D'Peoples Voice

dub_commuter wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/garda-fraud-squad-to-probe-financial-irregularities-at-irish-rail-1734457.html

Irish Rail confirmed earlier this year that an individual had been transferred to elsewhere in the CIE Group and confirmed that an investigation was ongoing.

Not suspended then? Phew!
What a relief, I thought we were seeing a change in the operations of our public services there! How naive was I?
I assume CIE has a rubber room like An Post?

Judgement Day

As I have posted on the Rail Users Ireland boards we need not lose any sleep over this one. This is CIE we are dealing with not a Mickey Mouse organisation like FAS - remember the Mini-CTC scandal and the Horgan's Quay saga - I think a number of gardai from the Fraud Squad will soon be directing traffic on the Aran Islands. :D:D