A solicitor required to attend the Flood Tribunal could face criminal prosecution after he failed to turn up at the inquiry today.
Mr John Caldwell has been in communication with the tribunal by letter over the past few months and is now claiming he is no longer resident in the country. Counsel for the tribunal said Mr Caldwell’s failure to attend was not a surprise.
However, the tribunal contends Mr Caldwell has a residence and is registered to vote in the State. It says it will produce witnesses to this effect. They also claim that contrary to Mr Caldwell’s claim, he has a valid licence to practice as a solicitor in Ireland.
Failure to comply with a request by the tribunal is a criminal offence and can be referred to the director of public prosecutions, or solicitors could petition the High Court to compel Mr Caldwell’s attendance.
Mr Caldwell has been called to give evidence regarding his role as a partner in Binchy & Partners solicitors. The firm did legal work for Canio and Kilnamanagh Estates, companies owned by builders Mr Tom Brennan and Mr Joe McGowan who have been extensively questioned by the tribunal over land deals in Dublin.
The tribunal originally called Mr Caldwell to give evidence in May.