AIB officials has strenuously denied to the Moriarty Tribunal that the bank facilitated Michael Lowry in opening an irregular off-shore account, with their subsidiary in the Channel Islands. In the witness box this afternoon was Peter Tierney, who was assistant manager at Dame Street where Mr. Lowry did all his banking. He confirmed that he personally wrote to AIB in Jersey seeking confirmation of Mr. Lowry's deposit of £100,000.
Mr. Tierney said that he saw nothing irregular in this and that he was merely facilitating a customer. It was put to him by Tribunal lawyer Jerry Healy to him that given the evidence of the past few days, it was reasonable to assume that the bank assisted Mr. Lowry in setting up an off-shore account. Mr. Tierney replied, "absolutely not, I had no hand, act nor part in this."
The account was initially opened with a sterling draft of £55,000 through AIB O'Connell St. The bank has failed to produce any exchange forms in connection with the transactions.
