Leading Irish executive arrested by Garda in theft and deception inquiry

Former employer alleges work on home had effectively been charged to company

The allegations against the former executive were made in a formal statement of complaint and then examined by An Garda Síochána before a criminal investigation into the claims was commenced.
The allegations against the former executive were made in a formal statement of complaint and then examined by An Garda Síochána before a criminal investigation into the claims was commenced.

A man who has previously been a leading executive in the Irish corporate sector has been arrested for questioning by detectives investigating allegations of theft and deception.

The Irish Times understands a very large Irish company went to the Garda over a year ago and made allegations that were criminal in nature. The company’s complaint effectively alleged that one of its former executives had personally benefitted from expenditure by the company.

It was alleged that building or improvements works on the former executive’s home had effectively been charged to the company through a third party. The sum of money at the centre of the allegations is relatively small.

The allegations were made in a formal statement of complaint and then examined by An Garda Síochána before a criminal investigation into the claims was commenced.

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That criminal investigation has been underway since last year and is being carried out by detectives at the Dublin-based Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.

On Thursday morning in Dublin the former senior executive met gardaí from the bureau by arrangement to be arrested for questioning.

He was detained at Terenure Garda station in south Dublin where the allegations made by the company were put to him. The man, who is middle aged and based in Dublin, was released after a period in detention.

No findings of any wrongdoing have been reached in relation to him. His arrest was pre-planned and formed part of the ongoing investigation.

The criminal investigation is continuing and will result in a file being sent to the DPP, whose office will decide if the former executive has any case to answer.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times