Sacked bank manager takes action alleging 'malicious conspiracy'

A sacked bank manager has commenced his action against Bank of Ireland for damages claiming he was wrongfully dismissed as a result of a "willful and malicious" conspiracy by senior bank officials.

Father of three adult children John Higgins claims he was defamed by the findings of an internal bank disciplinary inquiry which, he alleges, meant he had engaged in corrupt practices including money-laundering and facilitating tax evasion and was "a rogue and a scoundrel" who believed rules were "for fools".

The allegations against Mr Higgins were "utterly contrived" and "devastated his reputation" both in the banking industry and around his home area, Frank Callanan SC, for the former manager, argued today.

Mr Higgins, who rejects all allegations of wrongdoing against him, is suing BOI for wrongful dismissal and is further seeking damages from BOI for slander, libel, breach of contract, injury to his professional reputation and conspiracy.

Counsel said that Mr Higgins, who is also suing the bank for, he claims, seeking to maliciously procure his client's prosecution by the Garda, said his client was "absolutely shattered" when he discovered the bank passed on information about him to the Garda fraud squad.

BOI, which denies all the claims against it, said Mr Higgins was dismissed because of "gross misconduct" in the performance of his duties and the bank denied absolutely claims of conspiracy by a "select group of executives" to remove Mr Higgins.

BOI claims Mr Higgins knowingly and repeatedly breached the bank's operating procedures and code of conduct, had "little regard" for transacting business in compliance with those procedures or with legislation, exposed the bank to an "unacceptable risk" that money-laundering and tax evasion could take place and "operated under his own rules".

It claims that he is not entitled to any of the relief he seeks.

Counsel for Mr Higgins said he had an exemplary record and was a top performer with BOI.

With an address at Brohatna, Ravensdale, Dundalk, Mr Higgins, former manager of BOI's branch at Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, is now in the 10th year of his legal battle with the bank arising from his alleged suspension in 2001 pending an investigation and his eventual dismissal in October 2003 following a 22-day disciplinary inquiry. He joined BOI in 1971.

The case before Mr Justice Daniel O'Keeffe continues and is expected to last for four weeks.