Westmeath County Council issued a statement to local media this week confirming that the local authority had been defrauded of more than half a million euro.
The local authority stated that the fraud was initiated by a third-party and involved a sum of “approximately €515,000” being stolen.
“As soon as the council became aware of the matter, it immediately contacted An Garda Síochána and engaged the services of specialist advisers. The issue is currently under investigation by An Garda Síochána and the council is cooperating fully with that investigation,” a council spokesperson said.
The council stated that it would issue a further statement on the matter once the investigation concludes.
