The county coroner in South Tipperary has accused financial institutions of operating in “a moral vacuum” in the way they pursue debts from the Celtic Tiger era, following the death by suicide of a prominent businessman.
Paul Morris's comments were made at the inquest yesterday into the death of developer and auctioneer Philip De Vere Hunt.
The 64 year old was found dead at his cattle mart property in Cashel on December 18 last.
NAMA was reported to be suing Mr De Vere Hunt, of Ardmayle House, Cashel, for a debt of €30 million from a bank loan which he had gotten for a development project.
The inquest in Clonmel heard that he and his legal team held a number of meetings with NAMA regarding the debt.
However according to coroner Paul Morris, Mr De Vere Hunt's dealings with the agency “brought him to the end of his tether”.
