A Dublin solicitor was given leave by the High Court yesterday to challenge a decision by a district judge to permit the disclosure of AIB bank details of two clients to the Chief State Solicitor, acting on behalf of the Minister for Justice.
The information regarding the finances of clients being represented by solicitor Ms Teresa Gavin, Inns Court, Winetavern Street, Dublin, had been sought for a criminal investigation by the Italian authorities into the business activities of a number of Italian companies which allegedly involve several Irish persons.
Last Wednesday, Judge Haughton, who was nominated by the Minister for Justice to hear the Italian request for information, issued a witness summons requiring an official from the AIB branch, Dame Street, Dublin, to attend before that judge to give evidence regarding Ms Gavin's client account with the bank and regarding specified documents concerning that account.
Mr Justice O'Donovan granted Ms Gavin leave to seek orders, in judicial review proceedings, quashing earlier direction allowing inspection of the client accounts and directing the return of documents regarding those accounts.
Earlier yesterday, Dr Michael Forde, for Ms Gavin, withdrew an application for an interlocutory injunction restraining the disclosure of material regarding the client accounts. Dr Forde said he was not proceeding because the bank and the judge had done what he was seeking, through the injunction, to prevent them from doing.
