2020-07-23 · Tipperary
Delaney rejects claims he is trying to hinder ODCE investigation
Former FAI chief executive John Delaney has denied allegations that he is obstructing the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) investigation. In a sworn statement, Delaney explained that he requires additional time to review thousands of seized files, including his emails, to determine which are protected by legal professional privilege and therefore cannot be used by the ODCE. The High Court was scheduled to decide whether the files are privileged, but Delaney's request for extra time has stalled the matter, which will next be heard in September. The seized material consists of 13 hard‑copy documents and a digital device holding 270,000 files, seized from the FAI's Abbottstown office under a search warrant in February. Delaney, who now lives in the UK, said he was unaware of the volume of documents and that the ODCE's timetable was unrealistic.