Ex-Anglo company secretary to stand trial on tax charges

A former executive at Anglo Irish Bank is to stand trial on revenue charges.

Bernard Daly (65) with an address at Collins Avenue West, in north Dublin, appeared in court this afternoon following his arrest by the fraud squad.

The former senior executive joined Anglo in 1999 having previously held a position in the Central Bank. He was appointed as Anglo's company secretary in 2003 and held that position until he resigned four years later.

Anglo, which subsequently collapsed, was nationalised in 2009 before it was later rebranded the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) — now in special liquidation.

Mr Daly remained silent during his brief hearing at Dublin District Court.

Detective Daniel MacGinty, of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, told Judge Hugh O’Donnell that Mr Daly was arrested at Chancery Street, in Dublin at 1pm today on foot of four arrest warrants.

Sixteen minutes later, he was charged with four offences and “he replied not guilty after each charge after caution.”

State solicitor Tom Browne told Judge O'Donnell that there was consent to bail with conditions which had been agreed with Mr Daly's lawyer Robert Eagar.

Mr Browne said bail was to be set in the 65-year-old's own bond of €1,000 but a cash lodgement was not required. He must reside at his current address and notify Det Garda MacGinty 48 hours in advance if he intends to travel outside Ireland or the UK.

The former banker has to sign on every Friday at Santry Garda station but that condition is to be suspended when he is out of the country.

Mr Browne, for the State, also told the judge that the DPP has directed "trial on indictment" meaning the case will go before a judge and jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

A 12-week adjournment was needed to prepare the book of evidence and the prosecution lawyer asked for the case to be listed again at the district court in February so it can join up with that of a co-accused.

The judge extended time for the book of evidence to be drafted and Mr Daly, who has not yet entered a plea, was remanded on bail.

He will face his next hearing on February 6th when it is expected that he and a co-accused will be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial.

Mr Daly is facing four charges under the Taxes Consolidations Act 1997 relating to alleged offences between March 25th, 2003 and November 17th that year.

It is alleged that being an officer of Anglo Irish Bank Incorporated PLC he concealed a named account. He is also accused of conspiring to obstruct and interfere with an officer of the Revenue Commissioners in the exercise and performance of his powers. In the third count he is accused of conspiring to conceal from the designated officer a named account Anglo was required to produce for inspection. In the fourth charge, it is alleged that he produced incorrect documentation.