IBRC inquiry ‘still on track’ after judge steps down’ 

The Government has insisted the high-profile IBRC inquiry is still on track after it had to replace the legal expert leading the probe just a month into the job.

Retired judge Daniel O Keeffe has stepped down for “personal reasons” unrelated to the inquiry and been replaced with current High Court judge Brian Cregan.

However, despite stressing last night the investigation’s “no later than” December 31 deadline “remains unchanged”, the development is likely to bring timeline concerns back on the agenda as it is the second time IBRC inquiries have stalled.

An initial KPMG review was dropped on June 3 and replaced with the current probe after Government admitted it was “flawed”.

Since that decision, some Opposition parties have warned the lengthy timeline could push the inquiry past a general election, although Independent TD Catherine Murphy — who first raised IBRC concerns — has said it should not be rushed.

The investigation is examining all 2009-2013 €10m-plus IBRC deals, “unusual” share trading, and preferential interest rates which led to Denis O’Brien’s High Court case last month.