THE law firm William Fry, which is representing the businessman Denis O’Brien in a case against the state, is set to be appointed as legal adviser to the government-established commission of investigation into transactions by IBRC, including deals with O’Brien.

Law firms that were unsuccessful in tendering for the contract to advise the inquiry were told last week that William Fry was the winning bidder. William Fry declined to comment on the contract or on potential conflicts of interest with its work for O’Brien.

The law firm is acting for the media tycoon in a case launched in June against the Dail committee of procedure and privileges, which O’Brien claims breached his constitutional rights. The attorney general and the state are also named as defendants