Gardaí investigate claim that NAMA official took €30k from developer

NAMA has confirmed that Gardaí are investigating a claim that one of its officials took €30,000 in cash from a developer.

It is alleged that the official took two instalments of €15,000 in cash in exchange for allowing them to get out of the agency's control.

The claims were first made by independent TD Mick Wallace in the Dáil in July.

NAMA CEO Brendan McDonagh says it's being investigated, but had this to say at the Public Accounts Committee: "Whether there was a payment made or not that's being investigated by the gardaí, but the premise of the payment was that they paid 15 grand according to deputy Wallace before they got out, and they paid 15 grand after they got out.

"I don't think people would pay 15 grand or 30 grand if they're still stuck in NAMA."