A company director arrested at Dublin Airport last September under the Drug Trafficking Act, and later released, denied in the High Court yesterday a claim by the Criminal Assets Bureau that he owned a car seized on the same occasion.
The CAB has applied for an order to sell the Mercedes car which, it alleges, was owned by Mr Peter Bolger, of Glendown Lawn, Templeogue, Dublin. The bureau alleges the car was seized to part satisfy a £140,000 tax bill against Mr Bolger.
Mr Bolger claims the CAB unlawfully seized the car, owned by Louisville Ltd. The company is seeking an order for the car's return and is claiming damages against CAB and Mr John M. Fitzpatrick, the Co Dublin sheriff, who seized the car.
In court yesterday, the former British agriculture minister, Mr Douglas Hogg QC, for Mr Bolger, said Louisville Ltd denied the car had been purchased by Mr Bolger.
Mr Donal O'Donnell SC, for CAB, said it would argue the name on the official forms relating to the car denoted only its keeper and not the beneficial owner.
Last July, CAB secured an interim order against Mr Bolger freezing £300,000 standing to his credit and to the credit of Panorama Consultants, a company of which it was stated Mr Bolger was a principal. A receiver had been appointed over the monies.
At another court hearing in September, Mr Bolger alleged CAB had embarked on a campaign of vilification against himself and two other directors of Louisville Ltd. Mr Bolger denied dealing in or importing drugs into the State.
The hearing continues today.