The grip on the empire controlled by the man who was once Ireland’s richest individual has been prised a further notch open following one of the most dramatic days in the recent history of the Four Courts.

The IBRC (formerly Anglo) has accused former tycoon Sean Quinn of “bankruptcy tourism” for opting to turn to the courts in Northern Ireland to be declared a bankrupt.

JUST four years ago Seán Quinn was Ireland’s richest man worth almost €5 billion.