EIRCOM IS conducting an internal inquiry into allegations that a manager in the company was seeking substantial cash kickbacks from contractors engaged to conduct work for the company.
An Eircom spokesman would not comment but a number of persons with knowledge of the matter have spoken to The Irish Times. The amounts allegedly sought by the Eircom employee are said to have been five-figure sums.
Eircom is investigating complaints that the manager was seeking a percentage of the value of contracts issued to contractors, in cash, and was indicating that failure to make the payments would see contractors not getting any future contracts.
An Eircom-appointed investigator, who is looking into the matter, is understood to have contacted a number of the contractors who were allegedly asked for money.
The manager’s offices have been thoroughly searched and an inquiry into aspects of his personal affairs has also been conducted.
It is understood that the investigator has been told that the manager, when seeking money from one contractor, outlined what he had received, or had sought, from other similar contractors for work they carried out for Eircom.
The investigation is also understood to involve allegations that equipment, and services, might have been improperly used or allocated by the manager.
It is not clear if the Garda has been contacted about the matter.
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