Four Men Due Charged After Garda Anti-Corruption Investigation At KWETB

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 10:20

By Martin Osborne

They were brought on foot of an investigation into how public funds were used at the Kildare & Wicklow Education & Training Board.

Four men appeared in court today charged in connection with Operation Lakefront.

The investigation dates back to 2014 after concerns were raised regarding procurement processes at a statutory body based in the east of the country.

The Garda Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit, along with officers from the Kildare Division, questioned and arrested 10 people in connection with the case.

The Director of Public Procecutions has since directed that 178 charges should be brought against four people.

The four men - three of whom are aged in their 40s, and one in his 70s - appeared before Blanchardstown District Court this morning.

They were brought on foot of an investigation into how public funds were used at the Kildare & Wicklow Education & Training Board.

At the core of the alleged corruption is an allegation that public contracts were improperly awarded to certain companies for personal benefit.

The board’s former chief executive, Sean Ashe, with an address at Turnings, Straffan, Co Kildare, was among those charged today.

He is facing several corruption and fraud-related charges.

His son, 44 year old John Ashe, also appeared in court, charged with a series of corruption offences.

41 year old Richard Whelan, of Hawkfield, Newbridge; and 49 year old Kieran Downey, of Mountain View in Naas, have also been charged in relation to the investigation.

All four men were granted bail today and are due back in court in April.