Appleby left his office defending the inquiry

THE former director of corporate enforcement, Paul Appleby, defended the conduct of the Anglo investigation on his last day in the job.

This week, Mr Appleby said he would not be commenting on the case, and would have to consider whether he would assist a review into the controversial investigation.

The former watchdog – on an annual pension of €73,000, on top of a pension lump sum of €225,000 – had previously told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland programme, on his last day in the job in 2012, that he was satisfied his office ran a professional and robust investigation.

Although he conceded that it did take ‘some time’, he said this was preferable to cutting corners which could lead to a collapsed case.

Mr Appleby said at the time: ‘I think we have taken the right approach. We have been methodical, we have gone at it very carefully.’

He added that he believed the law may have to be changed, telling RTÉ: ‘One area that could be considered is perhaps extending the 24-hour detention period of suspects for a longer period.’

He added that in a very detailed investigation, 24 hours ‘is a very challenging time frame’. The law was never changed. Mr Appleby has been criticised over the way he left office, boosting his State pension by retiring in 2012, just in time to benefit from a better arrangement. He was reappointed in an acting capacity until a replacement was found.