Auditor ‘appalled’ at falsifying of ICC accounts

An auditor has told a tribunal how he was “appalled” when he realised that a fellow accountant was involved in falsifying the accounts of the Irish Coursing Club.

The evidence was heard during an unfair dismissals claim taken by former ICC accountant Edmund O’Brien, of Newmarket in Co Cork, against the club.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal heard allegations on Wednesday that Mr O’Brien was involved in a “cover-up” while employed by the Irish Coursing Club, allowing former club chief executive, the late Jerry Desmond, spend funds on “holidays and dining and wining”. This led to Mr O’Brien’s dismissal.