Council workers warned amid land deal probe

THE mayor of Co Cork has said there will be “no hiding place” for any Cork County Council employees who may have abused their position for financial gain.

Mayor Michael Creed made the comment yesterday as it was confirmed that four complaints have been made about a controversial land deal involving the local authority.

A thorough investigation is now underway.

Claims were made by a development company that Cork County Council could have purchased 20 acres of land in Charleville for as little as €4 million two years ago.

Instead the council signed a contract on April 24 last for €11.6m. In the interim the land had changed hands twice.

Last November, Puskin Developments had agreed to sell the land, which was already zoned for housing, to two Permanent TSB officials for €8m and subsequently made a complaint when it found out that the men had already started negotiations to sell the land on to the council for €11.6m.

It has also been alleged that the county council could have purchased the land on a number of occasions as it was strongly marketed and advertised in the national media.

The council internal investigation will focus on why no approach was apparently made for the land while it was available at a lower price.

The county council paid a deposit to the two bank officials, but refused to pay the balance after it received the complaints.

The bank officials, meanwhile, are taking the local authority to court to recoup the outstanding money.

“The rate payers and taxpayers will be anxious to be assured that all steps are being taken to protect the public by this investigation. If the law has been broken the full rigours of it must apply,” Mayor Creed said.

County manager Maurice Moloney said four complaints had been received to date and that he had appointed John Walsh, the council’s head of personnel, to conduct the investigation.

“We will be interviewing not just staff but those who made the complaints,” Mr Moloney said.

He added that “no stone will be left unturned” and that the gardaí had been contacted and would also be conducting an investigation.