Several hundred thousand documents were removed from Anglo Irish Bank in the course of an investigation prior to the trial of three of the bank's former directors, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Supt Eamon Keogh, from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, told the court several searches were carried out at the bank’s three premises at Stephen’s Court, Heritage House and Baggot Street, including one which lasted from February 23rd to March 6th, 2009.
Paper documents were removed from the premises as well as copies of electronic data retrieved by the computer crime investigation unit.
Intense scrutiny
The witness also said several thousand documents were provided by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Department of Finance in connection with the investigation.
He agreed the documents were the subject of “intense scrutiny” by investigators.
Supt Keogh confirmed the contents of a chain of emails sent on July 4th, 2008, in advance of a deal to unwind businessman Seán Quinn’s holding in Anglo.
One of the emails, sent by one of the accused, Pat Whelan, then head of lending in Ireland, to then chief executive David Drumm, enclosed a letter to the financial regulator Pat Neary. Mr Whelan told Mr Drumm he had “gone on a bit” in the letter to Mr Neary and said “as you are aware” a number of times “to make the point we are in this together”.
Ratings agency
Supt Keogh also confirmed to Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, for the prosecution, that he was aware of a discussion between another of the accused, William McAteer former finance director at the bank, and a ratings agency on July 29th, 2008.
Mr McAteer told the agency that the bank had lent €150 million to Mr Quinn as a short-term bridging loan and it would be repaid the following week. The case continues tomorrow.
