A garda investigation has begun into the alleged misappropriation of £20,000 of funds involving a man who worked with a Co Louth-based financial company.

The man, who no longer works with the company, is believed to have handled the funds in a private capacity. Gardai received a complaint a fortnight ago from two clients of the man who declined to comment to The Irish Times last night. A spokeswoman for the company said that no mishandling of funds had occurred within the company and that the man's relationship with the practice had ceased when the matter came to light.