Four men to face 178 charges over Kildare and Wicklow ETB fraud investigation

Four men were arrested this morning. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Four men are due to appear in court to face 178 charges arising from a fraud investigation into the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) launched the investigation, codenamed Operation Lakefront, in 2018. It examined procurement concerns at the statutory body, which is based in the east of the country.

The GNECB Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit led the lengthy and “complex” investigation, supported by gardaí from the Kildare Division.

The investigation resulted in the arrest and questioning of 10 people, after which gardaí submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The DPP directed that a total of 178 charges be brought against four individuals.

GNECB members arrested the four men — one in his 70s and three in their 40s — this morning.

They were charged at a Garda station in the Dublin Region and are due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court at 10.30am.