Drumm will never be quizzed by banking inquiry

David Drumm will never be quizzed by the banking inquiry, even if he is extradited to Ireland.

Senior probe sources say it is now too late to hear from the ex-CEO of Anglo Irish Bank because legal moves to return him to Ireland for questioning from the US will take too long.

“We have an interim report coming out in about four weeks,” a source close to the banking inquiry said. “It will be distributed to interested parties — which means it will immediately be leaked to the media, so the time frame is just too narrow.”

A request from Mr Drumm to provide evidence to the inquiry via video link from the US caused a major rupture in the probe. A number of members refused to take part in any such session, as they said it legitimised Drumm’s refusal to return to Ireland.

After the rebellion, the Oireachtas probe ruled against allowing Drumm the video link option. Drumm has hit out at the Irish media for making him a “scapegoat” in the financial crash.

“My version of events, acceptance of responsibility for my failings, and information that I feel should be made public — and is critical to the public interest — will never get a hearing because, evidently, the establishment has much to fear from my evidence,” he told IrishCentral.com in 2013.

“Their standard retort for any view I wish to express is: ‘Why doesn’t he come home and co-operate with the gardaí?’ ”

Drumm is currently in detention in the US as he awaits a court appearance today. He was arrested by police on Saturday and is being held in Massachusetts ahead of his appearance.

Irish authorities are believed to have lodged an extradition file with US officials in January.

Drumm left Ireland in 2009 after the collapse of Anglo Irish Bank and has remained in the US ever since.

The ianking probe has been beset by delays and is expected to deliver its final report in January — if an early general election does not kill it in its tracks.

Chairman and Labour TD Ciaran Lynch called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny not to hold a November general election so that the probe’s findings could be published in the New Year.