merrion street

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today confirmed that a joint Passport Service / Garda investigation has been taking place at the Passport Offices in Molesworth Street and Balbriggan.

Two employees of the Passport Service have been arrested and are assisting An Garda Síochána with their inquiries. The Passport Service launched an investigation in Autumn 2013 when internal checks revealed irregularities in the processing of three passports. The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation was informed and a joint investigation was launched.

The Passport Service takes the issue of passport fraud very seriously and has strengthened measures to identify and prevent potential fraud.

Customer services provided by the Passport Service will not be impacted.

As this is an ongoing enquiry it is not possible to provide further comment.

ENDS

February 5, 2014

Note to the editor

· This investigation is separate from, and unrelated to, the investigation into fraud in the Passport Service which was made public in July 2013.

· The Garda investigation in that case is continuing and files are being prepared for the DPP. Two individuals who are being investigated as part of that ongoing enquiry are no longer employees of the Passport Service.