An Allied Irish Bank official has told the Flood Tribunal that it is unlikely that Ray Burke held an account in one of its London branches in the 1980s. However David Paddock said that he could not be certain because records for the branch, which has since closed, are incomplete.
He said that there was no trace whatsoever of an account for Mr Burke. Mr Burke claims to have routed large amounts of cash through this account. But Tribunal lawyers say that there is no trace of it.
Mr Paddock told the Tribunal that the records would show any account closed during or after 1985. The Tribunal has heard evidence that Mr Burke had a live account into which interest was paid in April 1985. Mr Paddock said that if this was so it would show up on the records and it did not. The manager of the Bruton Street branch is expected to give evidence tomorrow. Ray Burke has resumed his evidence.
Earlier Seán Dowling of AIB Isle of Man give details of the movement of money between the Isle of Man and London branches of the bank. The Tribunal heard that the account in the Isle of Man was held in the name of Patrick D Burke. The account was opened some time before December 1982 and was closed two years later when almost £40,000 was withdrawn. The Tribunal is attempting to establish if the withdrawal was made in cash. Mr Dowling said that his records could not confirm this.
