Counsel to probe banking inquiry allegations

An independent senior counsel has been appointed to lead an investigation into claims that some banking inquiry witnesses received “preferential” treatment and allegedly met an investigator for dinner days before being questioned over their role in the crash.

An Oireachtas spokesperson confirmed, following a lengthy private meeting of the banking inquiry last night, that Senan Allen, who has previously worked on the Mahon tribunal, will head up the inquiry into the inquiry as part of a report which must conclude by the end of August.

The senior counsel was asked to lead the investigation — the terms of reference for which will be finalised in the coming days — after a backroom member of the inquiry made serious allegations of inappropriate contact with witnesses in April.