Gardaí in Cork have interviewed a debs planner about the collapse of his business after an estimated 3,000 Leaving Certificate students paid him more than €200,000, only to discover that he had failed to make the necessary hotel bookings.
Det Sgt Eddie Fogarty, of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation in Cork, confirmed that officers had spoken to events organiser Pat Browne, from Upper Glanmire, and that he was co-operating fully with the investigation.
Sgt Fogarty said gardaí believe that 20-30 schools in Cork were affected by Mr Browne's failure to secure bookings at the Silversprings Moran Hotel and the Rochestown Park Hotel after taking deposits from students.
Gardaí are taking statements from class representatives from the affected schools with a view to preparing a book of evidence for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will then decide if any charges are to be brought, he said.
Mr Browne was involved in organising photographs and bus hire for students' debs nights as well as making bookings with the two hotels.