Enniskillen probed by fraud squad

FERMANAGH football champions Enniskillen Gaels are at the centre of a fraud probe into a multi-million pound ground improvement scheme, it was revealed yesterday.

Gaels, who have reached the Ulster club final twice in the past five years and lost out to the Loup last winter, must open their accounts to a PSNI fraud squad, as to how they financed their repairs.

The club are expected to know within the next two weeks whether they will face charges.

Fraud allegations have rocked Irish league soccer to the core, with seven Northern teams under scrutiny. The investigation followed a Safe Sports Ground Scheme initiated by the Northern Ireland Office.

Clubs were entitled to 85% grants for urgent stadium repairs under the stg£3.3 million initiative, while they came up with the remainder of the money.

Police became involved after concerns were raised by the Northern Ireland Sports Council during routine checks. Almost half of the 60 soccer, rugby and GAA teams that were awarded grants were examined.

Detectives then narrowed down the probe to invoices for work carried out under the scheme by Irish League football clubs Coleraine, Bangor, Institute, Dungannon Swifts, Limavady United, Carrick Rangers and Tobermore United.

But a police spokesman said: “A referral has been made to the PSNI from the Sports Council in respect of an Enniskillen GAA club.

“Investigations are ongoing and it would be improper for us to discuss the amounts of money (allegedly involved) at this stage.”