Gardaí Waste €250,000 on Unused Hotel Rooms for UEFA Final

URGENT UPDATE: New reports confirm that An Garda Siochána wasted a staggering €250,000 on hotel rooms intended for police officers during the UEFA Europa League final, which was ultimately not utilized. This revelation comes from the latest report published by the Comptroller and Auditor General, shedding light on significant mismanagement of public funds.

The UEFA Europa League final, held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 22 May 2022, cost approximately €7.8 million to police, including overtime. Authorities revealed that An Garda Siochána booked 786 hotel rooms for officers two months prior to the event, spending €586,042 on accommodations. However, just two days before the event, 246 rooms were cancelled, leading to a significant financial loss.

Of the 540 rooms booked across 14 hotels, 339 beds remained unoccupied, resulting in a waste of €156,956. The report highlights that over 40% of the accommodation costs were ultimately not used, raising serious concerns about the budgeting process and logistical planning for such large-scale events.

The Comptroller and Auditor General criticized An Garda Siochána for lacking a formal policy for handling extraordinary events like the UEFA final. The report emphasized that the failure to accurately assess accommodation demand led to unnecessary costs.

“This level of wastage does not represent value for money,” stated the watchdog. The financial oversight body pointed out that early engagement with Garda members is essential for a more effective accommodation and meal booking process, which has now been implemented since the fourth quarter of 2024.

In response to the findings, Sinn Féin TD John Brady, who leads the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), announced that the committee plans to investigate the situation further. The implications of this report could lead to significant scrutiny of public spending practices in Ireland.

As this story develops, the public will be watching closely for further updates on how An Garda Siochána plans to address these financial missteps. The report serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of accountability in public service spending.

Readers are urged to stay tuned for more urgent updates on this and other developing stories. Share this news to keep others informed about the latest financial oversight issues in public services.