Westmeath County Council has confirmed that it has been the subject of a payment fraud of approximately €515,000.
In a statement, the council said the fraud had been initiated by a third party.
Westmeath County Council said that as soon as it became aware of the issue, it contacted gardaí and engaged the services of specialist advisers.
The council said it is cooperating with the garda investigation.
It added that a further statement will be issued when investigations are complete.
