Irish police yesterday staged a raid on the headquarters of the controversial Anglo Irish Bank, which has been at the centre of a series of allegations and revelations over recent months. The bank was nationalised last month in an as yet unsuccessful attempt to restore stability to theIrish financial system.
In the Irish Parliament yesterday, the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, said the case would be "conducted and concluded and pursued vehemently and vigorously in the shortest possible time frame".
Dozens of police moved in after search warrants were obtained by the Bureau of Fraud Investigation. Officers remained for much of the day on the premises at Dublin's St Stephen's Green. Examinations are expected to take place of records on paper and in computers.
The bank has been the focus of public and political anger as a series of questionable transactions involving millions of euros have come to light. Anglo Irish's former chairman, Sean FitzPatrick, and other bank bosses have resigned their positions. The Government has been advised against naming 10 individuals thought to be part of a "golden circle" of wealthy Irish businessmen who received multi-million-euro loans from Anglo Irish which they invested in its shares.
Government minister Noel Dempsey said those involved in wrong-doing at Anglo Irish were guilty of "economic treason". "It has to be investigated thoroughly and I and my colleagues want to see the people responsible pay for that."
