Several more witnesses at the Moriarty Tribunal have disputed evidence given by Charles Haughey. Dr Edmund Farrell, former Managing Director of the Irish Permanent Building Society, has told the Tribunal that Mr Haughey approached him on two occasions looking for money for the Brian Lenihan medical fund and for himself. Mr Haughey had said that he had no recollection of ever soliciting this money.
Dr Edmund Farrell also told the Tribunal that he could not recollect a meeting with Fianna Fáil fundraiser Paul Kavanagh in the Shelbourne Hotel in 1986. He added, however, that he was not saying that such a meeting had not taken place. He said that he certainly had no recollection of any discussion of Mr Haughey's lavish lifestyle and his need for personal funds.
He said that he had no recollection of saying that he would be prepared to help Mr Haughey out. He said that a Prime Minister asking him for money would have been a unique occasion and, he thought, that he would therefore remember it.
Mr Kavanagh maintained that this conversation did take place and that he told Mr Haughey to approach Dr Farrell personally. In that same year, two cheques worth £100,000 were drawn from the Irish Permanent and lodged in the party leader's account, which was endorsed by Mr Haughey.
Three years later, Dr Farrell issued two more cheques: £20,000 for the Brian Lenihan fund and £10,000 for Mr Haughey personally. Both of these cheques were lodged to Celtic Helicopters, the company belonging to Mr Haughey's son. The £30,000 was then withdrawn in a cheque payable to cash.
