Concern over tax status at Garda College

The financial crisis at the Garda College has deepened after serious concerns emerged over the tax compliance of its accounts and fears over hundreds of cheques given to gardaí for unvouched expenses.

There was widespread confusion at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday as to the status of Templemore’s tax returns to Revenue, with chairman Sean Fleming saying there was the “possibility of a substantial liability”.

And there was also doubt as to whether senior gardaí who are directors of the Sportsfield company on the site have fulfilled their requirements regarding declarations of commercial interests and tax compliance to the Standards in Public Office Commission.