Lawyer Ian Coulter
You’ll recall how Ian Coulter was the former managing partner at Tughans Solicitors in Belfast – which was involved in the sale of Project Eagle, Nama’s Northern Irish loan book – until he resigned in January of this year.
Late last night he released a statement for the first time since Mick Wallace told the Dáil, on July 2, that a routine audit of Tughans, “showed up where 7million in Sterling ended up in an Isle of Man…It was reportedly earmarked for a Northern Ireland politician or party.”
Last night, Mr Coulter said:
The concept of a Northern Ireland Nama deal was developed and significant work leading up to this deal was done by other business people in Northern Ireland, before any involvement of Cerberus (or any bidder). None of these other parties were from Tughans and none were politicans or relatives of politicians.
Through Tughans I was formally engaged to provide the required local counsel to Brown Rudnick. This was a commercial arrangement with Brown Rudnick, for which fees were discussed and agreed. No politician, nor any relative of any politician in Northern Ireland, was ever to receive any monies in any way as part of this deal. This was never discussed, assumed nor expected.
The deal itself was a straightforward one between a buyer (Cerberus) and a seller. Nama received what it has publicly confirmed is the full and disclosed value. No monies from Nama went towards any fees paid to Tughans. The money which has been called into question was part of the total legal and consultancy fees agreed as payable by Cerberus to Brown Rudnick. Cerberus did not engage or pay Tughans directly. Cerberus has acted completely professionally and properly at all times in relation to this matter.
The fees payable were paid into a Tughans company account supervised by the firm’s Finance team. In September 2014, a portion of the fees was retained by Tughans and I instructed Tughans’ finance director to transfer the remaining portion into an external account which was controlled only by me. Not a penny of this money was touched.
The reason for the transfer is a complex, commercially – and legally – sensitive issue and has been explained to my former partners at Tughans. It will be explained to the appropriate authorities and those entitled to that information as part of my continuing co-operation with any investigation.
The money which was transferred to an external account was not “discovered” or “retrieved” by the Law Society or Tughans during an audit, as some reports have incorrectly stated.
In fact, I transferred the money back to Tughans in early December 2014 and I brought this to their attention. From late November until early January, discussions took place to try to resolve the matter. In January 2015 these discussions broke down and I decided to resign from Tughans.
Terms and conditions for my resignation were agreed between me and Tughans. I have not received any personal financial benefit for my work on this transaction. Neither I nor any third party has received any part of the 7.5 million fees.
Meanwhile…also last night:
Lawyer denies NAMA money went to politician (RTE)
Nama deal: Ian Coulter says no politician or their relatives were due to receive money from sale (BBC)
Previously: Project Eagle And The €3.5billion Haircut
‘What Did They Get The €5million For?’
Pic: BBC
So the money was not going to a plitician, therefore it was earmarked for a political party.
Mystery solved.
More importantly, whay are NAMA making a loss on property that has increased in value since they bought it?
What he means is:
“The money was just resting in my account”.
Where have I heard that before? #FrTed
It’s time we came down hard on white collar criminals who are causing the state massive losses. Lengthy prison sentences should stop them pulling crap like this.
Ha, good one.
These people all play golf together…..nicely insulated from tiresome investigations from toothless state inquiries. pffft
Look, I’ll take it… seems nobody wants it.
And sure doesn’t that explain it.
Mick Wallace and his malcontent m80’s, in the building trade, are just trying to stir the pot.
Well, that all sounds perfectly legitimate. He’s convinced me. I’d love to hear his thoughts on Santa and the Tooth Fairy.
He also has a bridge for sale if your interested.