Anglo investigation almost complete, Minister confirms

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said that the garda investigation into Anglo Irish Bank is substantially complete.

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said today that the Garda investigation into Anglo Irish Bank is substantially complete.

Minister Shatter was commenting after publication of the annual report of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, which is leading the probe.

It has been held back by unco-operative witnesses since 2009 when millions of documents were seized. Nine extensive files have been sent to the DPP.

Officers from the Garda Fraud Squad are also involved in the investigation.

It is looking at a number of issues, including loans to a former Anglo director and a deposit arrangement between the bank and Irish Life and Permanent in September 2008.

In a statement today, Minister Shatter said that he has shared the sense of frustration at the length of time which investigations of this kind can take, but he also said the Garda Commissioner has confirmed it is nearly complete and that the files are receiving absolute priority.