‘No substance’ to bank probe claims

Serious allegations by an alleged whistleblower about the banking inquiry — which have delayed its completion until next year — have been declared to have “no substance whatsoever”.

A 140-page report on the claims by a barrister released last night concluded that alleged leaks to witnesses and conflicts of interest did not arise during the inquiry’s work.

The whistleblower had also claimed some witnesses had received briefings over dinners by officials linked to the inquiry, which it was claimed were inappropriate.

“No participant attempted to obtain favourable treatment, nor did the leads investigators or any of them or any other investigator do or not do anything towards any such end,” the report found.

Claims had also included that key documents were allowed to be put out of reach, and that the inquiry team was misled by backroom officials.

The independent report, conducted for the Oireachtas, found that there is no evidence to support the claims and the allegations “threatened to derail” investigation.

It found that there is “no substance whatsoever in any of the allegations”.