Concerns raised 10 years before college chief lost his job

Waterford Institute of Technology’s financial officer raised concerns with the college’s former president Kieran Byrne about his travel expenses a decade before lavish spending cost him his job, TDs have been told.

The Dáil Public Accounts Committee also heard Tony McFeely told board members about his concerns but they did not raise the issue at the governing body.

Prof Byrne was not re-appointed to the job last year after revelations about the €3.7 million spent by his office since 2004, including almost €300,000 on hospitality and nearly €140,000 on taxis and couriers.