asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that two successive holders of the office of clerk to the Callan Town Commissioners absconded with moneys the property of the Callan Town Commissioners; and, if so, if he will state when these occurrences took place, the amount of public funds stolen in each case, the results of his investigations into these matters, the steps taken to bring the culprits to justice and the results thereof, and if any fault was found with the said commissioners in their supervision of the absconding officials.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Town Commissioners' Affairs.
In 1928 there was default on the part of the Town Clerk of Callan of sums amounting to £225 17s. 9d. He was prosecuted and found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. In 1939 there was a further case of misappropriation of funds of Callan Town Commissioners but not by the clerk of the commissioners. During the prolonged illness of that officer the commissioners arranged that his son would carry out his duties. When the accounts were audited it was ascertained that a sum of £589 8s. was not accounted for. On the other hand sums amounting to £149 8s. 4d. had been paid in wages and other liabilities of the commissioners but not reimbursed to the acting town clerk. There was also a counter claim for salary. The acting clerk on prosecution in 1940 pleaded guilty to conversion of £75 and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The town commissioners in office in 1939 were seriously at fault. Their arrangement with the town clerk's son, who was a minor with no experience, was irregular, and they gave him authority to sign paying orders. Further, the commissioners signed treasurers' advice notes before payments had been entered thereon and no supervision was exercised over the acting clerk who was not legally appointed as such. The arrangement made with him was not reported to the Department. He was accordingly not a properly authorised clerk or servant of the local authority.
In 1940 a local inquiry was held into the manner in which the commissioners had been carrying out their duties and as a result the commissioners were dissolved under Section 74 of the Local Government Act, 1925. Their powers, functions and duties now vest in Kilkenny County Council.