Investigation into land deal to be completed in weeks

CORK county manager Maurice Moloney said yesterday he expects an investigation into a controversial land deal to be completed within a matter of weeks.

Mr Moloney also confirmed that gardaí have been aiding some aspects of the probe by council officials, which started last June following a complaint from a developer.

The investigation got underway after Pushkin Developments alleged that two bankers — who had purchased a 20-acre site from them in Deerpark, Charleville — were in negotiations to sell the land to the county council even before they bought it.

John Daly of Pushkin Developments outlined his complaint in a letter to the county manager in which he alleged that Pushkin Developments sold the land for €8 million, before finding out it was being sold on again.

The county council had, in the interim, agreed to pay the two bankers, Permanent TSB branch manager in Cork, Denis O’Reilly, and area branch manager Brian Cremin, €11.6m.

The local authority paid a deposit to the two bankers, but refused to pay the balance when it received the complaint from Pushkin Developments.

Allegations have also been made that the county council could have purchased the 20-acre site three years ago for as little as €4m.

The land had been zoned for housing in a town which is currently experiencing a major building boom.

“Our own internal inquiry is fairly advanced and we expect it to be completed in another few weeks. We hope it will be done before the end of the year,” Mr Moloney said.

It is understood that a council official, who was suspended shortly after the inquiry started is still on suspension.

He has claimed he did absolutely nothing wrong and followed the council’s procedures to the full.

Hundreds of man hours have already been put into the investigation.

The county manager put together a dedicated investigation team which has been trawling through files and correspondence. They have also interviewed a number of staff and auctioneers.