The Denis O`Brien controversy

twinytwo

CptMackey wrote: »

If serious allegations were made about me in the Dail I wouldn't be able to do what he is doing. He is throwing his weight around because he has the cash to do it.

He is a serial litigator who uses his money to silence any and all critic of him or his dealings be they corrupt or otherwise. This poses a threat imo to our democracy. He sees himself above the state. For that reason alone it would be beneficial that he loose .

It was said on newstalks Sunday show that the law is available to everybody all this case shows that it is not. It is the preserve of the wealthy the ordinary man need not apply.

I think this whole situation is just another nail in the coffin for this country.

Its a little ironic that a legal system that seemingly cant touch someone with so many dodgey dealings over the years but the same person can use it to silence a government.

If anything else this just hightlights that the majorty of the press should not be controlled by one person,,, if anything INM should be broken up.

Xenophile

twinytwo wrote: »

someone with so many dodgey dealings over the years

This is the type of statement that gives the meal tickets to his solicitors. Did you consider that O'Brien could be on to Boards.ie to ask for your details.

I am delighted he is taking on the Oireachteas etc, it has the makings of a very interesting case!

conorh91

CptMackey wrote: »

It was said on newstalks Sunday show that the law is available to everybody all this case shows that it is not. It is the preserve of the wealthy the ordinary man need not apply.

Hold the press, "Breaking: More resources available to wealthy people"

It is a pity that people with no resources will often be unable to fund litigation where they are ineligible for legal aid or unable to attract pro bono or similar representation.

The courts try to overcome this by bending over backwards, bending the rules of court, to assist lay litigants.

But I feel your justified frustration is misdirected. It isn't the responsibility of Denis O'Brien to ensure that everyone can afford to access the courts. It isn't even the ultimate responsibility of legal practitioners and the courts. It is a matter for the legislature and the Government to allocate funding to a credible civil legal aid system, for a means-tested guarantee of funding for meritorious litigation.

It's ironic that while Denis O'Brien is taking an action against an Oireachtas body, that people use this as a means to criticize Denis O'Brien because they cannot afford to do precisely what he is doing, instead of petitioning the Oireachtas to secure similar access to justice for themselves.

FreudianSlippers

K-9 wrote: »

Wish there was something about wasting court time with this stuff.

An Order for costs against him for a start if he loses.

_Kaiser_

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

An Order for costs against him for a start if he loses.

Somehow I don't think this is likely given his actions and the events to date, to say nothing of the outcome of the last investigation he was involved in and which has gone no further beyond an apparently toothless finding.

michael999999

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Somehow I don't think this is likely given his actions and the events to date, to say nothing of the outcome of the last investigation he was involved in and which has gone no further beyond an apparently toothless finding.

In fairness, The Moriarty Tribunal Report is in The DPPs office. I'm Sure one of these days she will knock the dust and cobwebs off it and give it a read!

Its also a priority of Enda Kenny, and I'm sure he's very close relationship with Denis o Brien and Michael Lowry will not influence the investigation in anyway!

FreudianSlippers

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Somehow I don't think this is likely given his actions and the events to date, to say nothing of the outcome of the last investigation he was involved in and which has gone no further beyond an apparently toothless finding.

I'm not sure what this means exactly or what it has to do with an order for costs in a civil case?

Lukker-

IRBC hires law firm representing O'Brien

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/08/31/stir-fry/

Surely that's a conflict of interest?

kupus

Have to lol at one the comments ........John Grisham couldn't write this.

If Grisham did write something like this I'd probably throw it in the bin for being so insulting to his readers.

Something that pizzes me off is Irish perception of African countries and their corruption and how they laugh at it.
And he reality is Ireland is just as corruptible but not as blatantly out in the open.

Nodin

Lukker- wrote: »

IRBC hires law firm representing O'Brien

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/08/31/stir-fry/

Surely that's a conflict of interest?

You'd think so, but evidently not, for reasons unknown.

michael999999

Nodin wrote: »

You'd think so, but evidently not, for reasons unknown.

Its Ireland, and fine gael/Fianna fail (delete where appropriate) are involved!

FreudianSlippers

Lukker- wrote: »

IRBC hires law firm representing O'Brien

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/08/31/stir-fry/

Surely that's a conflict of interest?

William Fry has approximately 80 partners (excluding managing partners). One would have to know very little about business/law to fail to realise this happens much more frequently than you'd imagine and firms this size have extraordinary Chinese Walls.

ancapailldorcha

michael999999 wrote: »

Its Ireland, and fine gael/Fianna fail (delete where appropriate) are involved!

You're adding nothing to this thread. Do not post in it again.

Lukker-

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

William Fry has approximately 80 partners (excluding managing partners). One would have to know very little about business/law to fail to realise this happens much more frequently than you'd imagine and firms this size have extraordinary Chinese Walls.

It's such a high profile case and is easily avoidable.

Godge

Lukker- wrote: »

It's such a high profile case and is easily avoidable.

There are not that many law firms with the capacity or expertise to deal with these cases, it is inevitable that they have to put in place conflict of interest protocols.

Lukker-

Godge wrote: »

There are not that many law firms with the capacity or expertise to deal with these cases, it is inevitable that they have to put in place conflict of interest protocols.

Except multiple law firms placed a bid to be the State's legal adviser on this case and William Fry were selected.

Surely the fact that they might not be entirely impartial is reason alone to select another firm. The Government have sought aid from different firms for other similar investigations and tribunals so i don't accept that it was a case of expertise alone.

For Reals

Lukker- wrote: »

Except multiple law firms placed a bid to be the State's legal adviser on this case and William Fry were selected.

Surely the fact that they might not be entirely impartial is reason alone to select another firm. The Government have sought aid from different firms for other similar investigations and tribunals so i don't accept that it was a case of expertise alone.

Any firm will be careful not to upset their larger clients. I don't buy any alleged impartiality. So yes, it is a problem, but aren't these concerns the issue with this government, (contracts/sackings etc.) and sadly any other previous civil war party government?

FreudianSlippers

Lukker- wrote: »

Except multiple law firms placed a bid to be the State's legal adviser on this case and William Fry were selected.

Surely the fact that they might not be entirely impartial is reason alone to select another firm. The Government have sought aid from different firms for other similar investigations and tribunals so i don't accept that it was a case of expertise alone.

We're just not a big enough country for what you want to have happened to have happened. I'd guess you'd be the same person complaining if another firm was engaged for twice the price?

Lukker-

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

We're just not a big enough country for what you want to have happened to have happened. I'd guess you'd be the same person complaining if another firm was engaged for twice the price?

That's just speculation on your part, no financials have been released.

And no, I wouldn't compain, I'd be pay the premium for an impartial service instead of selecting the firm who one of their largest clients are supposedly one of the main targets of the investigation.

Oh and there are at least 10 other law firms who are as big if not bigger then William Fry who had the capacity to take the case so I don't buy the small island mentality.

FreudianSlippers

Lukker- wrote: »

That's just speculation on your part, no financials have been released.

And no, I wouldn't compain, I'd be pay the premium for an impartial service instead of selecting the firm who one of their largest clients are supposedly one of the main targets of the investigation.

Oh and there are at least 10 other law firms who are as big if not bigger then William Fry who had the capacity to take the case so I don't buy the small island mentality.

Other than Matheson (which I'm not even sure about) and Arthur Cox, who is bigger than William Fry in that department?

Lukker-

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Other than Matheson (which I'm not even sure about) and Arthur Cox, who is bigger than William Fry in that department?

Arthur Cox, Matheson, McCann Fitzgerald and A&L Goodbody were all competing for it.

There probably is only four others who could haved competed for it but to me they sound like better alternatives.

Out of interest, what would happen if after the investigation the state wanted to prosecute (unlikely) and William Fry were selected to represent the State, could Mr.O'Brien also be represented by William Fry?

FreudianSlippers

Lukker- wrote: »

Arthur Cox, Matheson, McCann Fitzgerald and A&L Goodbody were all competing for it.

There probably is only four others who could haved competed for it but to me they sound like better alternatives.

Out of interest, what would happen if after the investigation the state wanted to prosecute (unlikely) and William Fry were selected to represent the State, could Mr.O'Brien also be represented by William Fry?

Fair enough that's your opinion - but as you pointed out earlier you haven't seen the tender. Plus AFAIK, none of those firms besides AC have a department the size of WF to deal with these types of matters.

Godge

Lukker- wrote: »

Arthur Cox, Matheson, McCann Fitzgerald and A&L Goodbody were all competing for it.

There probably is only four others who could haved competed for it but to me they sound like better alternatives.

Out of interest, what would happen if after the investigation the state wanted to prosecute (unlikely) and William Fry were selected to represent the State, could Mr.O'Brien also be represented by William Fry?

All of those firms would have had some conflict of interest too, as given their size, they most certainly would have previously represented someone involved in the issue.

Banjo String

Uncle dinny gets lucky once again. .

RoanKabin, an Irish-based manufacturer and supplier of modular building solutions, presenting its housing unit at the Modular Housing Demonstration Project at a site on the East Wall Road today. 

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/homeless-charity-supports-modular-housing-plan-they-are-nothing-like-old-prefabs--alan-kelly-696020.html

Guess who owns RoanKabin

Gatling

So they presented an idea how they could help tackle homelessness with modular homes something they happen to specialise in modular buildings .

Wouldn't want to be in the middle of a major crisis at the moment would we

Guy:Incognito

6 different companies were demonstrating modular houses. What luck did he get? It would be strange if one of his companies, which specialise in the area wasnt at it.

But sure I suppose its all about whipping up a frenzy, thats very unlike you Banjo

michael999999

Gatling wrote: »

So they presented an idea how they could help tackle homelessness with modular homes something they happen to specialise in modular buildings .

Wouldn't want to be in the middle of a major crisis at the moment would we

What a coincidence! Just when well need homes fast for all them refugees that will be coming.

Wondered how many more times fine Gael could enrich fine Gaels favourite financial backer before the impending election!

Fine Gael and Denis o Brien, the greatest team in the country to do business!

Gatling

michael999999 wrote: »

What a coincidence! Just when well need homes fast for all them refugees that will be coming.

Oh it's about refugees now Ahhhhhhhhhh should have guessed really

johnnyskeleton

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

You're adding nothing to this thread. Do not post in it again.

michael999999 wrote: »

What a coincidence! Just when well need homes fast for all them refugees that will be coming.

Wondered how many more times fine Gael could enrich fine Gaels favourite financial backer before the impending election!

Fine Gael and Denis o Brien, the greatest team in the country to do business!

Mod note:

Moderator instructions are not just mere suggestions. When you come back from your ban, do not post in this thread until you start providing substantial contributions and not just this broken record.

Banjo String

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

6 different companies were demonstrating modular houses. What luck did he get? It would be strange if one of his companies, which specialise in the area wasnt at it.

But sure I suppose its all about whipping up a frenzy, thats very unlike you Banjo

Gatling wrote: »

So they presented an idea how they could help tackle homelessness with modular homes something they happen to specialise in modular buildings .

Wouldn't want to be in the middle of a major crisis at the moment would we

To listen to you pair, you'd near imagine that the state owned NAMA didn't have a HUGE empty housing/ ghost estate housing stock.

It's no wonder FG aren't interested in implementing a land based property tax, all that housing earmarked land.....

johnnyskeleton

Gatling wrote: »

Oh it's about refugees now Ahhhhhhhhhh should have guessed really

Mod note:

Please dont feed the trolls.

Banjo String wrote: »

To listen to you pair, you'd near imagine that the state owned NAMA didn't have a HUGE empty housing/ ghost estate housing stock.

It's no wonder FG aren't interested in implementing a land based property tax, all that housing earmarked land.....

Mod note:

This is way off topic. In fact, unless there is anything untoward or noteworthy about one of DOB's firms soliciting business at a trade fair, move on.

johnnyskeleton

Mod note:

Since none of this stuff about refugees and prefabs has anything to do with the original topic, this thread is now closed. Feel free to PM myself or another moderator with reasons as to why it is still relevant. If you want to discuss using Nama properties or prefabs to house refugees, start a new thread.