Kildare men charged with alleged fraud at KWETB
Sean Ashe Snr appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in the Dáil in July 2019
FOUR Kildare men have appeared in court last week charged with more than 170 offences arising from a nine year investigation into alleged corrupt practices at the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).
The four are Seán Ashe (74) of Turnings, Straffan, the former chief executive of KWETB, his son John Ashe (45), c/o the same address; Ciaran Downey (49) Mountain View Naas, and Richard Whelan (42), Hawkfield, Newbridge.
The Irish Times reported that all four were brought before Judge Áine Clancy in Blanchardstown District Court on Wednesday (28 January) on charges arising from an investigation led by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), supported by gardaí from the Kildare Division.
The investigation examined procurement concerns at the statutory body, and the file that was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) led to a total 178 charges be brought against the four individuals.
GNECB members arrested the four men by appointment last Wednesday morning and they were charged at Blanchardstown Garda station before coming before Judge Clancy.
Acknowledging that the number of charges suggested this was an “extremely complex” investigation, and so she granted the state 12 weeks to complete the book of evidence and adjourned the matter to 28 April.
All four accused were remanded on bail on conditions including surrender of their passports and undertakings not to leave the jurisdiction without court approval.
Seán Ashe Snr is charged with several offences under section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, including the 4 July 2014 award of a contract for works to Blessington Community College to Postbrook, t/a Ashten Engineering, and the 21 October 2016 award of a contract for works to Youthreach, in Athy, to Erris Contracts.
He is further charged that, between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014, he had dishonestly, by deception, induced another to do or refrain from doing an act, with the intention of making a gain for himself, of causing a loss to another, in failing to prepare and furnish to the relevant authority a statement in writing of interests, contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
His son John (45) faces 48 charges under section 8 of the 2001 Act, also concerning the 4 July 2014 contract at Blessington Community College, while another of his charges relates to the 20 October 2015 award of a contract for works to St Patrick’s School, Naas, to Erris Contracts.
John Ashe’s solicitor Eoghan O’Sullivan, of Powderly Solicitors, secured legal aid after informing the judge the case involved “very serious” matters.
Ciaran Downey (49) is charged with stealing a motor car on 19 January 2017, to the value of €2,750, the property of KWETB.
He is also charged that, about 13 February, 2019, whereas another person having committed an arrestable offence, namely corruption in office contrary to section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2001, he knowing or believing the said person to be guilty of the said offence, or some other arrestable offence did without reasonable excuse act with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of the said person.
Richard Whelan (42) is charged with a number of counts under section 8 the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2001.
These include that, about 4 July,2014, he, being a public official, did an act in relation to his office for the purpose of corruptly obtaining a gift, in awarding a contract for the works at Blessington Community College.
Other counts include making similar allegations about the 23 June 2016, contract for works to St Conleth’s Community College, and a 2 February 2015, contract for works to VTOS Athy, Kildare to Erris Contracts.
