Dundalk Town Council criticised by Local Government Auditor

Town Clerk Frank Pentony

Dundalk Town Council has come in for criticism from a Local Government Auditor for not informing it of its recent internal rent arrears investigation.

The auditor said they first heard news of the investigation through the media.

Last month it was revealed that six tenants were affected, with the outcome of the review set to be revealed shortly.

Expressing disappointment at not being informed about the matter considering she was present in the council at the time, the auditor said it would be reviewed again in the 2013 audit.

Town Clerk Frank Pentony told last night’s monthly meeting of the local authority that the matter had only come to light as the 2012 audit was being completed and said that, at that point, the council did not know whether they had a case to answer.

Following last night’s meeting, councillors were briefed in private on the matter by council staff.

It has since emerged that a formal complaint has been made to Gardaí in Dundalk as part of the rent arrears investigation.

Cllr Corrigan seeks clarification on rent arrears figures in Dundalk

Cllr Edel Corrigan

Louth County Councillor Edel Corrigan is seeking further clarification on the rent arrears controversy in Dundalk.

Outgoing County Manager Philomena Poole at yesterday’s meeting of the local authority that six tenants were affected by the ongoing investigation.

A staff member was suspended in Dundalk Town Council pending the outcome of an internal inquiry as to why the six tenants were reported to be in arrears despite them having receipts to show they had fully paid up.

One homeowner was told she had arrears of over €3,000 but had receipts to prove that this apparent debt had already been paid.

Cllr Corrigan, who will be looking to retain her council seat for Sinn Féin in the Dundalk-Carlingford constituency in May’s local elections, noted that the council’s rent arrears had dropped by €7,364 in the last month.

She told LMFM: “I asked was this amount in relation to the six cases but I wasn’t given a clear answer in that regard.”

Cllr Corrigan is now seeking further clarification on the matter and will no doubt hope to find an answer prior to the end of the investigation.

Dundalk councillors updated on rent arrears controversy at special meeting tonight

Dundalk Town Council held a special meeting in the Town Hall tonight regarding the rent arrears controversy.

The meeting, which was called by Town Council chairman Cllr Eamonn O’Boyle, gave councillors an update on how the investigation is progressing and how many have been affected.

It was recently revealed that a member of staff had been suspended at the council pending an internal investigation after it emerged that at least one local resident had been informed of arrears totaling €2,300 despite the fact she had receipts proving she was completely up to date with payments.

The investigation is specific to the 2009-2012 period, with anyone fearful that they might have been affected asked to contact the local authority as soon as possible.