Sacked bank manager begins damages action

A SACKED bank manager has begun a High Court action against Bank of Ireland for damages, claiming he was wrongfully dismissed as a result of a “willful and malicious” conspiracy by senior bank officials.

John Higgins, of Dundalk, Co Louth, claims he was defamed by the findings of an internal bank disciplinary inquiry which, he alleges, meant he had engaged in corrupt practices including money laundering and facilitating tax evasion.

The allegations against Mr Higgins were “utterly contrived” and “devastated his reputation” both in the banking industry and around his home area, Frank Callanan, counsel for Mr Higgins, argued yesterday.