Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11319Corruption offences (corruption of public office) · Co. Dublin

Four men charged with corruption offences at Blanchardstown District Court

On 28 January 2026, four men were charged at Blanchardstown District Court in Dublin with 178 offences between them, mostly alleged corruption of public office. The charged men are Seán Ashe, 73, former CEO of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, Kieran Downey, 49, Richard Whelan, 41, and John Ashe, 44. The charges follow an eight-year investigation, and all four men were arrested at different times that morning by the Garda National and Economic Crime Bureau. Judge Aine Clancy granted all four men bail subject to conditions, including weekly signing on at local garda stations and surrendering passports. The men are next scheduled to appear before the courts on 28 April.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Seán Ashe, 73, is the former CEO of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board.
  • Four men have been charged with multiple offences, mostly alleged corruption of public office.
Where
The charges were brought at Blanchardstown District Court in Dublin.
When
  • The men were charged on 28 January 2026.
  • The men were arrested at different times on the morning of 28 January 2026.
Investigation
  • The charges follow an eight-year investigation into alleged corrupt practices.
  • The men were arrested by members of the Garda National and Economic Crime Bureau at Blanchardstown Garda Station.
Charges
Four men faced 178 charges between them, mostly alleged corruption of public office.
Other details
  • The four men are Seán Ashe, 73, Kieran Downey, 49, Richard Whelan, 41, and John Ashe, 44, all with addresses in Co Kildare.
  • Each man must sign on at their local garda station once a week and surrender their passport.
In court
  • Judge Aine Clancy heard the details of the arrests and no objection to bail was made for any defendant.
  • Judge Aine Clancy granted bail to all four men, subject to conditions.
  • The men are scheduled to appear before the courts again on 28 April.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe former CEO of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board has been charged with multiple offences. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe men were arrested at different times on the morning of the court appearance. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe charges follow an eight-year investigation into alleged corrupt practices. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are mostly related to allegations of corruption of public office. (rte.ie)
  • courtFour men faced 178 charges between them at Blanchardstown District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe men are scheduled to appear before the courts again on 28 April. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Clancy granted bail to all four men, subject to conditions. (rte.ie)
  • otherEach man must sign on at their local garda station once a week and surrender their passport. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jan2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Ex-education board CEO charged with corruption offences

    First report of the charges against four men, including the former education board CEO, at Blanchardstown District Court on 28 January 2026.

    accused, Seán Ashe, 73, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Asheaccused, Kieran Downey, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Downeyaccused, Richard Whelan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Whelanaccused, John Ashe, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Ashe