Michael E. Hanahoe & Company wish to make clear that the Garda visit to our offices on Thursday 3rd October was not, as reported in various media and as apparently stated by the Garda Press Office, in relation to the murder of Ms Veronica Guerin. This visit was solely in connection with property transactions by two named clients and was made on foot of a warrant issued under recent money laundering legislation. There was no mention in the warrant or by the gardai concerned of the very regrettable murder of Ms Guerin.
We are also concerned at certain aspects of this operation. Under this legislation the Garda could have applied for an order to inspect the material in question. Whatever reservations we may have about the legislation, we would have complied fully with any such order. There was no necessity whatsoever for the Garda to apply for a search warrant with all the attendant publicity which ensued.
On the question of publicity, we are concerned as well that the media were apparently informed in advance of the Garda "visit" as media representatives arrived at our offices before or simultaneously with the gardai. In effect the Garda had set up a photo opportunity. In that context it is also quite unacceptable that the Garda Press Office should apparently link this operation specifically with the murder of Ms Guerin when the Garda would have been more aware than anyone else that it was in connection with property transactions.
We are unhappy as well at the use of the word "search" in media accounts, coupled with reports of the length of time spent in our offices by the gardai. This may have suggested that there was a lack of co operation on our part and could lead to concern by other clients that their files may have been examined by the gardai.
The position is that the Garda asked for files in relation to property transactions by two named clients and these were furnished to them. They also asked to inspect computer files and accounts concerning these files and they were again facilitated. The gardai took away certain files but we required that these be copied beforehand so we could retain the copies and this took some time.
This firm acted in a perfectly proper and professional way in relation to all the transactions concerned and we are very concerned at the implications that may be drawn from the manner in which this operation was carried out and the publicity which it inevitably attracted.