Originally posted by John
The Irish Independent 14 Sept. 2005
Probe into Army's €60,000 fake meal receipts
AN investigation is underway into a scam in which the Army paid out up to €60,000 on foot of bogus meal receipts presented by a small number of members over a six-year period.
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea last night confirmed to the Irish Independent that the matter has been brought to his attention and is now the subject of an "extensive" investigation by the Defence Forces.
The minister said that while the Defence Forces themselves are carrying out the probe, he has demanded a full written report be on his desk today in relation to the matter.
A spokesperson for the Army last night confirmed that they have initiated a military police investigation into "irregular accounting procedures" in relation to one FCA unit.
While the Army spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the allegations, the Irish Independent has learned that the FCA unit at the centre of the probe is based in the Munster region.
The probe relates to irregular payments made for meals for FCA volunteers on field-days in three towns dating back over five or six years.
Army members are assigned to field days and sign for meals and it is understood that the members in question were building up "credit" with three hotels by signing for more meals than were consumed by volunteers attending the field days.
There is no suggestion of money changing hands or that the hotels were profiting from the arrangement, but it is understood members would benefit by having the meal credits to use on other private occasions.
It is also understood that the hotels in question are to reimburse the Army for the amount outstanding.
Eugene Hogan
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independ...&issue_id=12992
Probe into Army's €60,000 fake meal receipts
AN investigation is underway into a scam in which the Army paid out up to €60,000 on foot of bogus meal receipts presented by a small number of members over a six-year period.
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea last night confirmed to the Irish Independent that the matter has been brought to his attention and is now the subject of an "extensive" investigation by the Defence Forces.
The minister said that while the Defence Forces themselves are carrying out the probe, he has demanded a full written report be on his desk today in relation to the matter.
A spokesperson for the Army last night confirmed that they have initiated a military police investigation into "irregular accounting procedures" in relation to one FCA unit.
While the Army spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the allegations, the Irish Independent has learned that the FCA unit at the centre of the probe is based in the Munster region.
The probe relates to irregular payments made for meals for FCA volunteers on field-days in three towns dating back over five or six years.
Army members are assigned to field days and sign for meals and it is understood that the members in question were building up "credit" with three hotels by signing for more meals than were consumed by volunteers attending the field days.
There is no suggestion of money changing hands or that the hotels were profiting from the arrangement, but it is understood members would benefit by having the meal credits to use on other private occasions.
It is also understood that the hotels in question are to reimburse the Army for the amount outstanding.
Eugene Hogan
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independ...&issue_id=12992
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