Passport scheme loophole to close

THE Government is to move to close the legal loophole which allowed the controversial passports-for-sale scandal to take place five years ago.

Passport scheme loophole to close
Thu, 23 Oct, 2003 - 01:00
Michael O’Farrell

Among the 200 people who received an Irish passport under a controversial passports for investment scheme, which was suspended in 1996, are known criminals such as Viktor Kozeny, who is wanted for massive fraud by authorities in the Czech republic.

Under the same scheme, then Taoiseach Charles Haughey handed over 11 passports to Sheikh Khalid bin Mahfouz over dinner in the Shelbourne Hotel on December 8, 1990, the day after naturalisation papers were signed by then Justice Minister Ray Burke.

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CourtsPoliticsPlace: Czech RepublicPlace: Shelbourne HotelPerson: Viktor KozenyPerson: TaoiseachPerson: Charles HaugheyPerson: Sheikh Khalid bin MahfouzPerson: Justice MinisterPerson: Ray BurkePerson: MahfouzPerson: Osama bin LadenPerson: SenatorPerson: Fergal QuinnPerson: Michael McDowellPerson: Minister for JusticePerson: QuinnPerson: McDowellPerson: Foreign Affairs MinisterPerson: Brian CowenPerson: Mr bin MahfouzPerson: HaugheyOrganisation: BCCIOrganisation: SeanadOrganisation: Department of JusticeOrganisation: Moriarty Tribunal
<p>Mary Immaculate College. Photo via Wikipedia</p>

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