Desmond ruling - Tribunal needs to be thorough

Mr Justice John Quirke’s High Court ruling that the Moriarty Tribunal had not breached principles of natural justice or fair procedures in raising aspects of the 1993 Glackin Report is welcome.

The High Court judgment concluded that the tribunal is entitled to follow every line of inquiry that falls within its terms of reference until it discovers facts that established that the concern about any relevant matter is groundless.

The Glackin Report contained findings that were critical of Dermot Desmond and his apparent association with a couple of companies connected with the purchase of the Johnstone, Mooney and O’Brien site in Ballsbridge. This was later sold to Telecom Éireann at a handsome profit for a new headquarters.