Man released without charge after arrest on suspicion of public official bribery

David Raleigh

A man has been released without charge after being questioned by gardaí as part of an investigation into the alleged bribery of a public official.

The man was arrested last Monday and was being questioned at a Garda station in the Southern region, gardaí said.

Garda sources confirmed the investigation was in respect of the local authority in Limerick, which prior to 2014, was two separate councils.

A garda statement issued on Wednesday stated that detectives from the National Economic Crime Bureau had arrested a man “on suspicion of bribing a public official”.

“The investigation relates to alleged Corruption in Office involving a former local authority employee and external contractors,” the force said.

The suspect was detained for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

In an update on Thursday, Gardaí said the suspect had been released without charge and a file would be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions as part of the ongoing investigation.

Limerick City and County Council did not respond to requests for comment.