Siteserv inquiry given two-month extension for costs applications

Mr Justice Brian Cregan

The commission of investigation headed by Mr Justice Brian Cregan completed its final report last summer, finding that the sale of Siteserv to billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien was so tainted by impropriety and wrongdoing that it was not commercially sound.

The judge’s final 1,500-page report examines the Siteserv transaction in great detail, making extensive findings of fact which are summarised in Chapter 27, which alone runs to over 80 pages.

The government subsequently agreed with the judge’s recommendation that it not continue further with its investigation into the other 37 transactions covered by its terms of references. The inquiry was given until 31 March 2023 to deal with witness costs applications.

In an interim report submitted to ministers last week, Mr Justice Cregan said it “will not, however, be possible” to complete this work by the deadline and requested a two-month extension which has been granted.

The commission’s timeframe for reporting on the legal costs has now been extended until 31 May 2023.