Offshore companies used by AIB's Goodbody Stockbrokers to disguise questionable share dealings up to 2001 were named after cartoon and fantasy figures, a Sunday Tribune investigation has learned.

Goodbody transacted shares in companies registered in the Isle of Man and Nevis, in the Caribbean, to disguise its trading in AIB shares in 2000 and 2001. An investigation of records in the Isle of Man and the Caribbean show companies and nominee accounts were named after mythological figures and cartoon characters.

Jim Farrell, chairman of the Financial Regulator, last week told the Oireachtas committee on economic regulatory affairs that the transactions were designed to allow Goodbody to reclaim stamp duty. Farrell also revealed that Goodbody failed to comply with controls. Committee member Fergus O'Dowd TD has claimed Goodbody carried out other share transactions through similar offshore companies over several years.

A spokeswoman for AIB said on Friday that all the questions surrounding the share transactions were fully reported and investigated. Chief executive Eugene Sheehy will give evidence to the committee in coming weeks.