An investigation was launched into alleged misuse of public funds by staff at County Hall.

The probe centres on allegations of misuse of a fuel card by one or more staff members of Galway County Council. It’s understood that Council management became aware of the problem last year or in 2023.

All Galway County Councillors and Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Martina Kinnane, were alerted in January to the alleged misuse of funds, but it’s understood it was brought to the attention of elected members of the County Council’s Audit Committee in 2024.

The allegations of wrong-doing were contained in a report by Dr Martina Maloney, chairperson of the Council’s Audit Committee.

Dr Maloney – a former County Manager for seven years at Galway County Council up until her retirement in 2014 – signed off on the Audit Committee’s Report on the Annual Financial Statement 2023 and Statutory Report on January 8, 2025.

The report was then circulated to Galway County Councillors ahead of their plenary meeting on Monday, January 21, where it was noted and agreed but not discussed.

Under the heading, “Alleged misuse of public funds”, the Audit Committee report said: “The committee confirm that the alleged misuse of fuel card was brought to their attention during their work, who sought and were provided with updates regarding same, from the executive”.

The Director of Services for Human Resources at Galway County Council emailed the local authority’s External Auditor about the allegation on April 23, 2024.

Galway County Council has refused to release the correspondence to the Connacht Tribune under Freedom of Information – it cited Section 30 of the FOI Act which states that release of records can be refused if it would have a “significant, adverse effect” on the performance of its management functions, including “industrial relations and management of its staff”.

Galway County Council was contacted for comment.

Pictured: Martina Moloney…report.