Mattie McGrath Demands Probe into Clonmel NAMA Fraud
Deputy Mattie McGrath raised allegations of significant fraud linked to land disposals and the Clonmel Park Hotel, accusing NAMA and Revenue of failing to act. He said a tax number belonging to a person not resident or trading in Ireland was used for years and that the Garda declined to investigate; he called for an urgent probe.
Allegations of fraud
The deputy told the chamber that lands were disposed of under Section 183 by Tipperary County Council without planning permission and referenced Project Eagle and Project Precon. He accused NAMA of massive fraud in relation to Clonmel and said Revenue appeared to be aware without adequate action being taken.
Details of the case and individuals named
The speech referred to the Clonmel Park Hotel and named Mr John Farrer, saying a tax number of an individual not residing or trading in the State was used for three or four years. The deputy said these transactions involved land disposals and questioned how they proceeded without planning permission.
Previous questions and official roles
The deputy noted that the minister who is now a designated commissioner had asked similar questions in 2019 and that no answers were provided when queries were put to the finance authorities. He said he had previously raised the matter with the Tánaiste, who indicated an intention to go to the Garda, but the Garda had refused to investigate according to the deputy's account.
Response in the chamber and next steps
A speaker responding in the chamber said they did not doubt the seriousness of the issue but lacked the details on the floor and invited the deputy to correspond so the matter could be passed to the relevant authorities. The deputy reiterated that the matter "needs to be investigated" and sought answers on behalf of Mr John Farrer.
Keywords
NAMA, Revenue, Clonmel Park Hotel, Section 183, Tipperary County Council, Project Eagle, Project Precon, Garda, tax number, John Farrer
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I want to ask a question, if I can, that Minister Michael McGrath, now Commissioner-Designator, asked here in 2019, as in relation to Mr John Farrer in Clonmel, where his tax number was used when he was not trading in this country, this is dealing with NAMA, we all know about Project Eagle, this is Project Precon, where lands were disposed of under Section 183 by Tipperary County Council in Clonmel, which didn't have planning permission, and massive fraud carried out by NAMA, and indeed Revenue Awareness, the senior investigation team and Revenue Awareness, is being brought to the Garde, I raised him with the tarnaster before, he told me he'd go to the Garde, Garde refused to investigate, a massive fraud perpetrated, and a tax number of an individual who wasn't residing in the country, wasn't trading in the country, used for three or four years, this is unbelievable what's going on in NAMA, and what's going on in Revenue's knowledge, and nothing been done about it, a fraud relating to Clonmel Park Hotel, and Mr John Farrer, a good standing businessman, and he's asked me to get answers, now designated Commissioner Michael McGrath, asked those questions, when he asked the finance, he didn't answer them, this needs to be investigated. Thank you, Thesian, please. I don't doubt the seriousness of the issue the Deputy raises, I just don't have the details to hand, nor am I sure about the appropriateness of commenting on the floor of the door, but I'd certainly undertake to, if you want to correspond with me on the matter, Deputy, I'll certainly undertake to pass it on to the relevant. Thank you, the Independent Group.
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