ONE of the finest appointments in recent years was Brian Lenihan’s decision to put Alan Dukes into the chair at Anglo; but, last week, I wondered if my old friend and hero had gone native.
Alan was out of the traps at high speed, hitting the airwaves. He put up a superb show on Thursday’s Prime Time when he dazzled us all with his knowledge of figures.
The retirement of Anglo chairman Donal O’Connor and the imminent succession of Dukes had signalled a clear break with the past.
Continue reading ‘Dukes has Gone Native at Anglo’
Published March 21st, 2010 in Bank Abuses, Consumer Affairs
SAINT Patrick is not a lucky patron saint for Sean FitzPatrick.
Two years ago, on St Patrick’s Day, hedge funds attacked Anglo Irish Bank shares on London’s stock market. The nation’s day of celebration marked the beginning of the end for Anglo.
Last Wednesday, as the St Patrick’s Day celebrations were ending, the gardai were planning a dawn raid on FitzPatrick’s luxury pile in Greystones’ plush Burnaby Estate.
Continue reading ‘The Chancer Who Ran Amok’
Published March 14th, 2010 in Other Issues
LAST Wednesday, two brown envelopes arrived on the same day in equally threatening covers. One was from the Circuit Court, the other from the Revenue Commissioners.
It was a toss-up which envelope to open first. I opted for the Circuit Court envelope. Good choice. It was a jury summons.
Luckily, senators are exempt from jury service. Presumably on the grounds that we are totally corruptible or pushovers to intimidate.
Continue reading ‘Bertie ‘the artist’ Pulls Tax Coup’
Published March 7th, 2010 in Bank Abuses, Consumer Affairs
WELCOME to the third farce in banking. Yes, that appears to be one of the Government’s glib solutions to the banking crisis.
The plan of action is to merge EBS, Irish Nationwide and Irish Life’s banking arm into a third force. Anyone else who wants to join in is welcome.
Continue reading ‘The Third Farce in Banking’
