THE former financial accountant of Aer Lingus Holidays Ltd claimed in the High Court yesterday that Aer Lingus plc had refused him relevant documents which would help in his defence to criminal charges against him.
Mr Peter Keely, of Corrig Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin is due to go on trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court next April.
He is charged that he conspired with others to defraud the holiday company by misappropriating its monies to purchase apartments in the Canary Islands for their own use and benefit.
Mr Justice Keane granted Mr Keely permission to seek an order prohibiting the DPP taking further steps in the prosecution until further order.
The judge said Mr Keely could alternatively, seek an order quashing a decision last November of Judge Michael Moriarty of the Circuit Court refusing an order for discovery of documents in Aer Lingus's possession.
Mr Keely, in an affidavit, said the holiday company was a subsidiary of Aer Lingus plc.
He was seriously concerned from the beginning of the Garda inquiries that attendants were being made by the holiday company to set him up and possibly others as to the cause of the holiday company's losses and to conceal actual dealings by that company which Aer Lingus plc had authorised.
The strategy of purchasing property in overseas resorts was known and approved by the management and board of both Aer Lingus companies. He was arrested and charged in January, 1994.