Fresh O’Brien claims threaten inquiry

Fresh claims that businessman Denis O’Brien renegotiated his loans on special terms with IBRC after threatening legal action have thrown into doubt the terms for an inquiry into the now-bust bank.

Allegations have emerged that Mr O’Brien claimed he had a “verbal agreement” with the bank to alter the terms of loans amounting to €315m.

The claim was made under Dáil privilege last night by Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty, who warned the matter would fall outside the January 2009 to February 2013 remit of the commission of investigation.