Inquiry underway into port allegations

THE investigation underway at the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) involves a number of verbal allegations made to the board of the company.

The company has confirmed that an internal probe is underway following disclosure of the allegations to members of the board. A former deputy secretary general of the Department of Transport has been called in to head the investigation and to decide if the allegations warrant further scrutiny.

He has been given a brief to report back to the board within a week.

He commenced his investigation on Monday.

In a statement on the matter, SFPC said: “The Shannon Foynes Port Company can confirm that verbal allegations have been received by its board of directors. The company have appointed a committee with an independent chairman to engage in an initial process of evaluating/validating the allegations and report back to the board.”

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has been informed of the investigation and said he is satisfied with the approach being taken by the company in the matter. There have been a number of clashes at board level in recent weeks over proposals to sell off Limerick Docks to property developers.

Some board members claim that the process was proceeding without sufficient consultation.

A recent board meeting decided to engage in further discussions on the proposed sale of the docks with port users and Limerick City Council.

Mayor of Limerick Joe Leddin is leading the opposition to the sale of the docks.

However, other high-power figures, such as the former President of the University of Limerick, Dr Ed Walsh, have come out publicly in support of a major redevelopment of the docks area as a commercial centre.