The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation is inquiring into an alleged financial irregularity at the Land Registry in Dublin, writes Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter.
An official of one of the Registry's offices was suspended last month pending the Garda investigation. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell, was informed of the case.
The man, who is co-operating with the Garda, has been on the staff of the registry for some time.
He is alleged to have colluded with an individual or individuals outside the registry.
The alleged activities were monitored for a period before the man was arrested, shortly before his suspension.
A number of informed sources said yesterday that the sum of money involved in the alleged irregularity had not yet been quantified.
"It's the subject of a Garda investigation at the moment and we don't know the amount involved," said one person.
The Land Registry manages the system of compulsory registration of property ownership.
All relevant information related to a property and its ownership is recorded on registers, called folios, which are maintained by the registry.
The title shown on the folio is guaranteed by the State. Copies of such documents are required whenever property changes hands.
They are supplied by the registry as evidence of title.
It also supplies certified maps and provides search and copy facilities.
The registry said in a statement yesterday that the alleged irregularity "involved the issuing of photocopy Land Registry documents without payment of the required fee".
It is known that the photocopy fee for a folio is €25.
Informed sources declined to comment when asked the duration of the alleged irregularity. They said it was hoped that the investigation would determine its duration.
The registry said in its statement that an official had been suspended pending the Garda investigation.
It also said that Mr Purcell had been alerted. It declined to make any further comment about the investigation.
Mr Purcell's office declined to comment on the case.
While it is normal procedure to alert the Comptroller and Auditor General to such cases, it is not known whether he is conducting or plans to initiate a separate inquiry.
His office routinely audits State bodies and may make reference to such a case in his annual report.
However, he is also empowered to published special reports on areas other than the central Government audit.
The Department of Justice and Law Reform, which has responsibility for the registry, said yesterday that it had been informed of the case.
Besides stating that an investigation was under way, a Garda spokesman declined to comment.