The Garda Commissioner has denied reports that the Criminal Assets Bureau has instigated an investigation into Michael Lowry on foot of the findings of the Moriarty tribunal.
Martin Callinan said he appointed Chief Supt Eugene Corcoran from CAB last Thursday to examine issues arising from the report “with a view to establishing whether or not any criminal offences meriting investigation are disclosed”
He said Supt Corcoran would liaise as necessary with the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.
“Until this examination is complete, it is premature to call that process a Garda investigation,” Mr Callinan said. “The situation has not changed in the intervening period. Gardaí continue to study and assess the report of the tribunal with a view to establishing whether there are any matters therein which may require criminal investigation.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil last week the Moriarty report was being referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Garda Commissioner.
The 2,348-page document, published on Tuesday, found that former minister for communications Michel Lowry, now an Independent TD for Tipperary North, had “secured the winning” of the State’s second mobile phone licence for Denis O’Brien’s Esat Digifone.