The Criminal Assets Bureau yesterday applied to the High Court for an interlocutory injunction to freeze £300,000 standing to the credit of a Dublin business consultant, Mr Peter Bolger, and a company, Panorama Consultants, of which he was stated to be a principal.
Former British agriculture minister, Mr Douglas Hogg QC, was a member of the legal team representing Mr Bolger and his company.
Following legal submissions from Mr Hogg, Mr Justice O'Sullivan adjourned the case for mention on Monday next. Mr Donal O'Donnell SC, for the CAB, said he needed further time to take instructions.
Before the adjournment, Dr Michael Forde SC, who was with Mr Hogg for Mr Bolger and Panorama Consultants, said his clients were asserting that the money was not the proceeds of crime. There was no indication why the CAB asserted the money was the proceeds of crime, counsel said. This was just hypothesis.
Mr Hogg submitted that the court had no jurisdiction to make the order sought. An interim freezing order had been granted by the court at the end of July and a receiver had been appointed over the monies.
The money had been lodged to the account of the receiver, counsel said. The interlocutory order was being sought against his clients but they were not in control of the property.
The CAB had applied prematurely for the appointment of a receiver, counsel continued. He said the bureau should have made the application for a receiver after the hearing of the interlocutory application.
Mr O'Donnell said a point of some importance had been raised which could apply in other cases and he was granted time to take instructions.