The Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) Chief Executive Brendan Hegarty has said the “unsubstantiated” allegations made against the Council in relation to the ongoing lease process of the Necarne Estate are “malicious”.

His comments come after he revealed to Councillors the proposed lease of the Necarne Estate to Gardrum Holdings Ltd is to be looked into by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) at a meeting last Wednesday.

The NIAO has asked Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) to be kept informed on ongoing developments regarding the Necarne Estate lease process after members of the public raised concerns into how the process was being carried out.

At the Policy and Resources Committee meeting, Mr. Hegarty told Councillors that they received correspondence from the NIAO late on Tuesday night who “on foot of a number of communications from members of the public have now asked to be appraised on this matter”.

“It is interesting actually in terms of the matters they wish to be appraised on because in their own words: ‘Amongst a number of so far unsubstantiated allegations are that the Council is wasting millions of pounds of previous investment by following this path; that officers have withheld key information including financial information from members and from the local community; and that the developer holds undue influence over the process’.”

The Chief Executive said he had no concern in relation to the allegations and was a bit astounded that the Council was asked to account for unsubstantiated allegations, in particular allegations of officers withholding key information, however he regretted that this process had brought about such allegations.

“I would say however that it is with some regret that this process has unfortunately, a factor that seems to be in it is there has been a lot of, in many cases, vexatious issues raised and indeed in some cases I would go so far as to say some of the accusations made are of a nature of being malicious. And that one in particular to suggest that officers have been withholding information and you as members know exactly what information you have been given and we will have no difficulty responding to Northern Ireland Audit Office on that.”

A number of Councillors spoke out in condemnation of the allegations.

Councillor Diana Armstrong said she was disappointed that the integrity of Council Officers has been called into question of this matter while her UUP party colleague, Councillor Robert Irvine asked if the Council would consider any action against those making the claims.

“The extraneous remarks that have prompted the Audit Office to come in, I would hop,e as you so rightly say, I can see nothing in what we have done that would actually exact any further any detailed investigation from the Audit Office, but we can’t presuppose what they will do. In the event that that falls, should the Council consider any action taken against those individuals that may have brought spurious claims levelled against the Council in general and its officers in particular. Because I am looking at long term reputational damage. If somebody starts to throw mud there is an instance of it sticking. I think people have got to realise if they pick the mud up to throw it some of it will stick to their hands and they should be made aware of it.”

Mr. Hegarty did not wish to comment on it at the meeting but did say that it had not gone unnoticed.

Councillor Barry Doherty pointed out that the people who are sending in emails to begin investigations are publicly linking Councillors to all manner of indiscretions “I don’t particularly like it and it is getting to the point to ignore some of these claims is getting harder and harder.”

Councillor Bernice Swift also refuted the allegations and said she did not believe the “spurious” claims should not be allowed to continue without being challenged.

“The mistruths and untruths have to be addressed and we definitely need to take look at that.”

Erne East Councillor Brian McCaffrey said that for something that has no basis the NIAO investigation should be a fairly short one.

Mr. Hegarty told Councillors that the NIAO will be kept updated with on all developments and it will be up to them to consider them and decide how they wish to proceed.