By Diarmaid Doherty
DONEGAL County Council has confirmed that it is co-operating fully with Gardaí as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption within the council.
The claims of corruption relate to the purchase by the council of five houses in Buncrana containing defective concrete blocks in March 2021.
The allegations were made later that year by Cllr. Frank McBrearty.
The council has confirmed to the Donegal News that Gardaí are now investigating the complaints “as they must”.
A council spokesperson said: “The Council is co-operating fully with the Gardaí and expects to be vindicated in due course.
“It does not propose to make any further statement or answer any further questions on the matter so as not to interfere with the Garda investigation.”
Last year, an external review into the €600,000 purchase of the five houses at the An Crannla Estate in Buncrana, exonerated council staff from any accusations of wrongdoing.
The report was carried out by Dublin-based consultants BDO Ireland.
It was initiated by the council after concerns were raised over the purchase of the houses.
Confirming the Garda investigation into the matter, a council spokesperson added: “Donegal County Council, having fully investigated the matter, found no evidence to support these allegations.
“Furthermore, these allegations have been the subject of an extensive inquiry and report by BDO, a large independent firm of auditors and accountants, who have exonerated both Council and staff.”
Cllr. McBrearty’s allegations prompted heated debate at council level with councillors highly critical of the fact the allegations had risked tarnishing the reputation of council staff and council members.
The Raphoe councillor had sent a file on his own investigation into the purchase of the Buncrana houses to Donegal County Council and to the Gardaí.
In a statement issued to the Donegal News, Gardaí confirmed that an investigation into allegations of corruption within Donegal County Council has commenced.
“As this is an ongoing investigation there is no further information available at this time,” a spokesperson said.
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