TAX officials who wrongly accessed confidential files relating to Dolores McNamara, the Limerick woman who scooped €115m in the EuroMillions lottery last year, have been let off with a rap on the knuckles.

An investigation by the Revenue Commissioners has found that 28 members of its staff looked up McNamara’s tax records after her lottery win, even though they had no reason for doing so.

No disciplinary action has been imposed but the offenders have been issued with warning letters telling them not to do it again. They have also been alerted to the potential consequences of ignoring the advice.

“The staff involved have been reminded of Revenue’s policy that data may only be accessed for official reasons and have been warned of the possible disciplinary consequences of any behaviour to the contrary,” the Revenue said.

Thirty-two employees had originally been under suspicion for accessing the McNamara’s files, but four were found to have valid reasons.

A second and much larger inquiry into similar activity is still continuing in the Department of Social and Family Affairs where 125 civil servants have been asked to explain why they called up McNamara’s welfare and benefits details. The inquiry is due to be completed in late February.

The accessing of McNamara’s files was revealed in The Sunday Times last September after details from her tax and welfare records appeared in another newspaper. It claimed, wrongly, that the lottery winner was being investigated for welfare fraud and alleged she had been claiming payments while working. McNamara is understood to have been upset at her welfare history coming into the public domain and consulted her lawyers.

The reports, which included dates, suggested the information could only have come from somebody close to her or from people familiar with her records.

Under government rules, staff with access to personal information are only supposed to consult it as part of their assigned duties. Breaches of this procedure can result in sanctions up to dismissal.

David Stanton, a Fine Gael TD, said the case shows there may be a need for stronger legislation to protect against the misuse of personal information held by the state.

“I am glad the investigation has been completed. I think the staff in question will think again before doing something like this on another occasion. The punishment is not severe, but I would imagine it is being taken seriously by those involved,” he said.

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