A judge has said the plan by the Quinn Family to put assets beyond the reach of the former Anglo Irish Bank, is the largest and most devious he’s seen to date in the Commercial Court.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly made the comments earlier, as he appointed receivers over assets owned by various members of the Quinn family.

He said this case ‘reeked of dishonesty’ and admitted that in recent years he’s had to deal more and more often with cases involving fraud, sharp practice, and dishonesty.

However, he said he has never seen anything on the scale demonstrated by Sean Quinn and his family.

Next week, Mr. Justice Peter Kelly will consider whether the Quinn children should carry on getting living expenses of two thousand euro a week.

/> Aviva Healthcare is seeking urgent clarity from Government as to how it will fund the new solvency requirements of the VHI.

The European Commission today demanded that the state subsidy for the insurer be scrapped by the end of next year.

Its likely to involve a one off cheque from the taxpayer for around 300 million euro – and Aviva wants an assurance that it won’t involve another levy for the other insurers in the Irish market.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny hasn’t revealed how it will be funded but says the Government will do what it’s been ordered to by the European Commission.
/> A former swimming coach has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail after being found guilty of abusing boys at a public pool.

51-year-old Ger Doyle, of Emmet Place in Wexford was convicted by a jury at Kilkenny Circuit Court this afternoon.

The former Olympic coach and ex-manager of New Ross pool was charged with abusing children between 10 and 15 years of age between 1981 and 1993.
/> Its reported the man suspected of carrying out the Denver cinema shootings last Friday sent a notebook to a psychiatrist detailing his plans.
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/> But it’s thought the package – which had James Holmes’ name and address on it – went unopened and unnoticed.

According to police sources it was eventually found in the post-room at the University of Colorado.
/> The Environment Minister has confirmed he plans to cut the number of councils and councilors in the country.

Speaking at the MacGill Summer School in Donegal this evening, Phil Hogan says the full details of his plans for local government reform will be revealed in the Autumn.

Minister Hogan said the performance of councils would also be more closely measured in future.