Probe into Galway City Council 'irregularity' continues
An internal investigation into two Galway City Council officials suspended over alleged ‘irregularities’ in housing allocation indicates that the incident was an isolated one.
The two officials were suspended earlier this year after one allegedly ‘signed off’ on another being given a property under the social housing scheme in the Leargán estate on the Western Distributor Road.
It’s understood the staff member did not meet requirements to qualify for social housing.
At a meeting of the City Council this week, Councillor Padraig Conneely (FG) asked if the two staff members were still suspended, or had one resigned; and had they been entitled to sick pay.
Chief Executive Brendan McGrath said he was “deeply constrained” by what he could say publicly as the people under investigation had rights under the ongoing investigative process.
He said progress is being made as quickly as possible and when the matter concludes, he will bring a full report before the Council.
“All of the examinations carried out indicate it is a single, isolated case and doesn’t extend beyond that,” said Mr McGrath.
Following their suspension, it is understood the staff members presented doctors’ sick certificates, which had a knock-on effect of delaying progress in the investigation.