Businessman Denis O'Brien has lost his attempt to stop the Moriarty Tribunal inquiring into his purchase of the English soccer club Doncaster Rovers.
The High Court ruled that the tribunal is entitled to hold public hearings into whether former minister Michael Lowry was involved in the deal.
Lawyers for Mr O’Brien had argued that the tribunal should not be allowed to look into the purchase of Doncaster Rovers as it happened after the inquiry was set up.
However, today Mr Justice Henry Abbot ruled that the deal did come within the remit of the Moriarty Tribunal terms of reference.
Evidence of Mr Lowry’s involvement in the Doncaster deal was contained in a letter written by an English solicitor in 1998.
Mr Lowry has denied any involvement in the deal and the English solicitor later said he was mistaken. However, the High Court also rejected the argument that there was insufficient evidence to go to a public hearing.
The issue of costs will be dealt with in October. A spokesperson for Mr O' Brien has said the businessman will be appealing today's High Court decision.
