Gardaí have confirmed that they are carrying out two separate investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving Galway County Council.
One investigation is believed to centre on the alleged misappropriation of funds by a sitting county councillor. The other involves the apparent disappearance of a sum of money from the Planning Office.
A garda spokesman refused to comment on any of the details of either investigation except to say that they are entirely unrelated.
The gardaí launched the first of the investigations in June after they had received a report from a senior council official.
It is understood that both investigations are ongoing and that a file is likely to be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.