The Payments to Politicians tribunal has called its first two witnesses. Matthew Price, a former director of Dunnes Stores in Bangor, gave evidence about the issuing of a £282,500 sterling cheque drawn on the Dunnes account in the town.
Earlier, the tribunal counsel outlined how part of that money ended up in Charles Haughey's current account in Guinness and Mahon bank and cleared his overdraft. Though Mr. Price said the cheque was issued with the express knowledge of Ben Dunne, the tribunal was earlier told that Mr Dunne has said that he did not authorise the payment.
The second witness, Samuel Field-Corbett, has been giving evidence relating to finance and investment company, Tripleplan.
Before the tribunal began hearing evidence, Mr. Justice Moriarty turned down an application by lawyers representing Charles Haughey to adjourn the proceedings.
Mr. Haughey's lawyers had asked that the Moriarty Tribunal to be adjourned until criminal charges against him have been dealt with. Mr. Haughey's counsel submitted that the inevitable media comment which would arise from evidence being taken by the Moriarty Tribunal would make it impossible for Mr Haughey to get a fair trial in the court.
The Dublin District Court has been receiving depositions relating to the charges that Mr. Haughey hindered and obstructed the work of the McCracken Tribunal. Mr Haughey denies the charges.
The Tribunal resumed its public hearings at Dublin Castle this morning. The inquiry, which is being chaired by Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, was established in September 1997 to examine the financial affairs of Charles Haughey and the former Fine Gael Minister Michael Lowry.
The Tribunal has the potential to deliver sensational revelations about the relationship between power and money in Irish politics. But, so far, its punch has been pulled by legal challenges going all the way to the Supreme Court.
The tribunal was set up to explore the finances of Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry and to see if they made any decisions while holding office rewarding those who made payments. Much of the tribunal's work has been spent excavating the, by now infamous, Ansbacher Accounts.
The deposits helped finance Charles Haughey's lifestyle. They were in bank accounts controlled in Dublin by his accountant, the late Des Traynor and held million of pounds which were technically offshore in the Caymen Islands, but were accessible in Dublin.
The tribunal has been hampered by a Supreme Court ruling in favour of Mr. Haughey, which quashed discovery of documents orders. However, it is understood that the tribunal team has made substantial discoveries leading Mr. Justice Moriarty tantalisingly close to the identity and political significance of the Ansbacher depositor.
