Cork Institute of Technology has strongly rejected allegations of financial irregularities and misspending made by an anonymous

whistleblower.

The institution has been under scrutiny since last March when the anonymous complainant wrote to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) questioning spending on consultancy fees and standards of corporate governance.

Among the issues raised was the spending of more than €20,000 on portraits of president Dr Brendan Murphy and former chairman of the board of governors Dr Paddy Caffrey. This was said to have occurred in 2009 at a time when cutbacks were in place.

A more detailed dossier of allegations was sent by the same complainant to the PAC before Christmas.

It makes further claims including that some staff are making inflated expenses claims, or are putting private entertainment bills on the college accounts. It also questions the institute’s financial controls, and argues that the length of service of board members – in some cases close to 20 years – is in excess of normal State boards.

In a statement to The Irish Times, Cork IT said its audit committee commissioned an independent consultant to examine all of the allegations.

‘Thorough review’

“The very thorough review undertaken by the independent consultant assures the audit committee that the allegations contained in the anonymous letter offer no basis for concern and that all individuals/agencies identified within the letter have carried out their professional duties highly diligently and with total integrity.”

Regarding the paintings, the institute said: “The framed portraits cost €22,000 and were actually commissioned in 2007. The sittings took place in Dublin and not Italy as alleged.”

Among the numerous other allegations was that some staff members had been using boats from the National Maritime College of Ireland for their own personal use.

“This was a personal allegation which was investigated per the review referred to above and found to be unsubstantiated,” the institute said.