Probe into inappropriate use of company card

Gardaí are still investigating the actions of a local authority employee who was sacked for the inappropriate use of a purchase card.

It has emerged that in January 2013, Westmeath County Council began an investigation into the conduct of a worker who had access to its low-value purchase card.

It was found that there had been inappropriate use of the card and the worker was sacked. The case was referred to the gardaí and the investigation is ongoing.

In a letter to the Westmeath county manager, the local government auditor told the authority that in addition to this, it should also chase the former staff member for the funds lost.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, the council said that since the auditor’s letter, in October 2013, all of the money had been repaid to the council “unconditionally”.

However, it said it was not in a position to disclose any further details on the nature of the alleged crime or the amount involved.

“[The request is] refused as the matter is under investigation by a third party,” it said.

The auditors also raised concerns of a less sinister nature.

It said it had reviewed the expenses system for staff and found there had been widespread failure to fill in information necessary to verify the claims.

Following this report, the county manager warned staff about the auditor’s concerns and the potential for false claims.

Information released by the council has shown that this resulted in three employees having to repay over-claimed expenses, one of which was self-declared.

Earlier, a third party tip-off forced one staff member into repaying expenses.