A Department of Agriculture official who pleaded guilty in court last October to conspiracy to steal £26,909 from State funds is still receiving half-pay, the Department has confirmed.
A spokesman said certain procedures had to be followed and civil service regulations were being implemented. Because civil servants are employed by the Government, the Cabinet ultimately has to take any decision to sack an official. A person has a right to make representations to the Cabinet before a decision is made and this is now taking place, the spokesman said.
Robert Patrick Walsh, of Rhue, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge last October and became a key witness for the State against his co-accused, publican and farmer Michael Clarke from Beltra, Co Sligo.
Clarke was found guilty in January of conspiring to steal with Walsh a pay order worth £26,909 and also of handling two stolen Government orders worth £24,483 and £26,185 on dates between September and October 1997. Walsh, who agreed to act as witness for the State, had 13 charges against him dropped. While giving evidence against Clarke he also made allegations against a senior official working in the same Department of Agriculture office in Sligo at the time. This man, who gave evidence in court, denied any involvement in the scam.
Meanwhile, the Department confirmed that a second official has now been suspended on half-pay and that an internal investigation is being carried out. Gardai have also confirmed that another file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the case.
Sligo Circuit Court heard that the scam involved bogus applications under a Dairy Hygiene Grant scheme. Pay orders were sent out to B&Bs to be collected by "guests" who later called to collect mail and cancel their reservations. It was uncovered when a guest house owner became suspicious.