Gardaí in Kilkenny have launched an investigation into allegations that money was taken from psychiatric patients' bank accounts without their knowledge or permission.
A file is being prepared for the DPP following claims by 10 patients at St Canice's Psychiatric Hospital that money was taken from their bank accounts without their consent.
The amounts involved are believed to range from hundreds of euro to €1,000 in one case.
In one instance at the AIB branch at Dublin Road, Kilkenny, the signature on a withdrawal form from a health board patient's account with the branch did not appear to match the signature of the customer which was on file.
This was confirmed by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA) in a letter to the patient involved, dated January 27th, 2004.
The IFSRA consumer information officer said that the bank acknowledged that, on investigation, the signature on the withdrawal docket did not appear to match the patient's signature.
The bank also told the IFSRA that it was aware that the issue had been raised before with the bank and that the patient involved had been furnished with copies of several withdrawal dockets.
It has been alleged that money from patients' accounts was used to purchase items of furniture which were used to furnish health board facilities.
The South-Eastern Health Board has refuted any allegations of irregularity with regard to patients' or residents' accounts or the purchase of personal items from patients' bank accounts.
It said a thorough investigation by the health board's internal auditor had concluded that there was no misappropriation of funds, that the financial records were well maintained and that all money was accounted for.
Gardaí have confirmed that the health board has co-operated fully with their investigation.
It is understood, at this stage, that gardaí believe there was no intention to defraud patients.