It was a morning in May 2011, and I was in the car park of a pub in Clonskeagh. I am waiting for a low-profile businessman who, prior to the financial crash, had once ranked as one of Ireland’ biggest developers and one of the state’s richest citizens. A five-year-old BMW pulled in and I got out of my car to approach it. The electric window rolled down and a man looked out. “What are you looking at?” he said. I turned away realising it wasn’t the man I hoped to meet. As I retreated, a beat-up white van flashed…

Read on for just €1

For a limited time, get your first month for €1 and unlock full access to The Currency and The Wall Street Journal – two premium memberships, one subscription.

Subscribe

Cancel at any time.

Are you already a member? .