Garda ship probe urged

A REPORT that investigated overspending on the Jeanie Johnston replica ship project should be handed over to the gardaí, according to a Kerry councillor.

The report criticised the handling of the project by Kerry County Council and Tralee Town Council.

It said they should have taken control of the venture earlier. Councillor Brendan Cronin wants the gardaí to immediately examine the findings of the report.

“There is a harsh reality to be faced here. As far as I am concerned €15.5m is gone down the drain and we have no choice now but to follow the money trail,” he said.

The Mazars report was commissioned by local authorities in Kerry and the Department of the Marine to reveal why the project ran about €10m over budget.

The investigation also examined the key decisions taken during the construction of the ship and the part played by public bodies.

Cllr Cronin believes that the matter still needs to be investigated by the gardaí despite the hard-hitting report.

“I am asking them to launch an immediate investigation.” Kerry County Manager Martin Nolan admitted there were lessons to be learned from the controversial venture.