An investigation into planning irregularities in Roscommon County Council has resulted in two officials being suspended and the resignation of a third.
The official who resigned admitted involvement in the preparation of a number of planning applications. One of the suspended employees admitted submitting a planning application under an assumed name in another county. The third employee is suspended while the council continues its investigations into his possible involvement in preparing a number of planning applications.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, said he had received a preliminary report on the matter and would now be asking for a full report.
A statement issued yesterday evening by council management said a number of officials had been investigated for breaching regulations by preparing or submitting planning applications. None of the three, a draughtsman and two engineers, worked in the planning department.
"Officers are aware that they must not become involved in any occupation which would constitute a conflict of interest," the statement said.
Mr Dempsey said anything that caused a cloud over the planning process was of serious concern to him. Speaking on RTE, he commended the County Manager, Mr Eddie Sheehy, for initiating the investigation.
Mr Sheehy called in a private investigator to help with the investigation and computers and files in council offices were seized. He told The Irish Times yesterday that the investigation only concerned planning applications. He denied suggestions it was also looking into allegations that a council employee had acquired an interest in land which was subsequently sold to the National Roads Authority as part of a major road development in the county.
"The only investigation carried out on my behalf related to planning applications. Any other things mentioned are only speculation," Mr Sheehy said.
The statement said an official who had admitted responsibility for the submission of a planning application under an assumed name in another county had been "suspended from duty for a period". A second official who admitted involvement in the preparation of a number of planning applications resigned from the council.
The statement said an investigation was ongoing into "the possible involvement of a third official in the preparation of a number of planning applications" and that "this junior official has now been suspended".