Two men have been charged in Sligo District Court in connection with allegations of fraud at the Department of Agriculture. One of the men works at the Department, the other is a businessman. The charges relate to the concealment of cheques paid under the Farm Development Scheme to farmers in the Northwest between September 1997 and February 1998.
Judge Oliver McGuinness was told both men had replied not guilty when the charges were read to them and both in custody with consent to bail. Inspector Gerry Connolly said the state had no objection to bail but asked that a substantial independent surety be saught. He later fixed bail at £300 for each man with one independent surety each of £30,000 each.
It is understood that one of the defendants, Robert Walsh is an employee of the Department of Agriculture and the charges before the court today arose after a lengthy investigation into allegations of fraud.
Both men will appear again at a sitting of the District Court in Sligo next Tuesday.
