Irish Rail senior manager stands aside amid probe

IRISH RAIL has confirmed that one of the semi-state’s senior managers has “stood aside from their position” as part of an ongoing investigation within the company.

In recent weeks the company has been at the centre of allegations, and confirmed cases, of fraudulent activity by employees which were revealed in a report by consultants Baker Tilly last month.

A Department of Transport report into procurement policy at the semi-state is also pending with that department’s general secretary already having described procedures for projects costing under €50,000 as being “very, very unsatisfactory”.

However the decision of the senior manager, to withdraw from work is not linked to these fraud investigations.

A case involving an Irish Rail chief civil engineer concerning allegations of bullying at the company is also scheduled to be heard at the High Court from December 15.

The controversies surrounding Irish Rail follow on from the revelation last month that an Irish Rail employee who defrauded the company of hundreds of thousands of euro by selling railway sleepers was re-instated after management took account of his father’s good work record and he paid €100,000 to the company.

This case involved an employee who was initially suspended from Irish Rail in 2006 when it emerged he had been illegally selling railway sleepers.

He had been caught selling the sleepers to a contractor from a site on Dublin’s North Wall.

Labour Transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said it was key that proper oversight of Irish Rail activities was maintained.

He said: “The Baker Tilly report and the other issues that are emerging are concerning and I will be maintaining a close attention to ensuring that these issues are investigated effectively.”