Courts / Dublin / Report

Berlusconi associate seeks review of judge appointment for evidence hearing

Date
2016-02-18
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

An associate of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Frank Agrama, has applied to the Court of Appeal for leave to bring judicial review proceedings against the Irish Justice Minister's appointment of Judge John O'Neill to take evidence relevant to Agrama for transmission to Italian authorities. Agrama, who denies the charges, was acquitted in 2014 of aggravated misappropriation and tax fraud, but the Italian prosecution has appealed the acquittal. The Minister's nomination of Judge O'Neill was refused leave by Mr Justice Richard Humphreys, who said the appointment was ultra vires because the material was intended for an Italian appeal, not an Irish investigation. The taking of evidence from two witnesses has been fixed for the Dublin District Court. Agrama's counsel, Paul Gardiner SC, argues the Minister acted ultra vires and seeks a judicial review.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Berlusconi associate seeks review of judge appointment for evidence hearing. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: Counsel for Mr Agrama, Paul Gardiner SC, told the three-judge court that the Minister was acting ultra vires when she nominated Judge O'Neill because the Minister knew the material was for an appeal in Italy and not an investigation. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Dublin
  • Dublin District Court

Topics

Fraud Stage Appeal

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request