Business and political figures named in Ansbacher Report

The identities of 200 Ansbacher (Cayman) account holders have been published this morning. They include a former director of the Central Bank of Ireland, Mr Ken O'Reilly-Hyland.

Among the high-profile names identified as account holders are the former taoiseach Mr Charles J Haughey and his son-in-law Mr John Mulhern.

Prominent medical practitioners, Dr Maurice Nelligan and Dr Patricia Nelligan, are also named.

Former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, who was identified as an Ansbacher account holder.

Other account holders include: property developer Mr John Byrne; hotelier Mr P V Doyle; Guinness and Mahon's computer specialist Mr Padraig Collery; Mr Desmond G Fitzgerald; former Fianna Fail TD Mr Denis Foley; former rugby player Dr Ollie Waldron, meat exporter Mr Seamus Purcell, Mr John Guinness, Ms Jennifer Guinness; the auctioneer Mr John Finnegan; architect Sam Stephenson; the solicitor and property developer, the late Mr Liam McGonagle; and the architect of the scheme, the late Des Traynor.

Eight members of the board of Cement Roadstone Holdings were included on the list. The late Fine Gael TD Mr Hugh Coveney is also named. A large number of those identified are deceased.

There are a number of indicated breaches of the Companies Act specifically in relation to Ansbacher. Director of the Office of Corporate Enforcement, Mr Paul Appleby

The report makes clear that being mentioned within the report does not necessarily imply tax evasion took place or was attempted. The report stresses that many people had only fleeting involvement in the accounts and others did not realise that their funds were in the accounts.

At the launch of the report this morning, the director of the Office of Corporate Enforcement, Mr Paul Appleby, made particular note of a number of incidences of non co-operation from individuals or companies contacted by the investigators.

"We will be seeking access to the papers of the inspectors which indicate the degree of non co-operation that took place," he said.

Mr Appleby also expressed caution about the success of possible prosecutions.

Dealing with the practicalities of getting the 10,000 page report home

"There are a number of indicated breaches of the Companies Act specifically in relation to Anbacher. In effect, the offences involved are minor and the inspectors have indicated that prosecutions may not be feasible."

Mr Appleby said he would be seeing the approval of the High Court on Monday to follow up on a number of issues in the report.

"I have no doubt that other relevant State authorities, such as the Central Bank, the Revenue Commissioners and the Director of Public Prosecutions, will closely evaluate their own legal options in the light of the information contained in this report," he added.

People queued outside the Government Publications Office ahead of the 10,000-page report going on sale at 9.30 a.m.. This level of interest was unprecedented, a spokesperson for the office said. More than 200 copies of the 10,000-page report have been sold while over 400 copies of the CD-rom version were also bought this morning.

Legal advice received by the OCE will prevent the report being posted on the Internet.

This is because of fears that account-holders identified within the report and living outside this jurisdiction could pursue legal action.

The report details evidence suggesting the commission of criminal offences.

Copies of the report will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Revenue Commissioners the Central Bank and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland. Revenue authorities in the US and UK will also receive copies.

The report has taken nearly three years and €3.2 million to complete. More than 200 witnesses were interviewed.