Ciarán Haughey, son of the former Taoiseach has told the Moriarty Tribunal that he never sought an investment from former Health minister Dr. John O'Connell and that he was unaware that he had made any investment. Yesterday Dr O'Connell said Charles Haughey had asked him for a contribution of £5,000 in March 1985.
Ciarán Haughey, who is a director of Celtic Helicopters, said the first he knew of Dr O'Connell's contribution to the company was when Dr. O'Connell's solicitors asked for a certificate of shares in March 1992. Ciarán Haughey said he decided to discuss the matter with his father because he knew Dr O'Connell.
His father said that he would look into the matter, but he never came back with any information. Ciarán said that he never made any further enquiries. He believed that the matter was resolved after the restructuring of the shares of Celtic Helicopters.
A number of times counsel for the Tribunal Jerry Healy said that the way the affairs of the company were dealt with were a little bit careless. Mr. Haughey replied, "that is a matter of opinion".
Last week the tribunal learned that £100,000 had come from Ben Dunne to Celtic Helicopters via Des Traynor, Charles Haughey’s accountant, and through the company account of Carlisle Trust. But today Ciarán Haughey insisted that he believed the £100,000 received in November 1992 was an investment by a Mr. Michael Murphy who was also Celtic Helicopters' insurance broker.
The Moriarty Tribunal has now adjourned early to allow time for the Tribunal team to continue its investigations and for circulation of documents. Mr. Justice Michael Moriarty said that matters had developed very fast on a daily basis, particularily this week.
He said that caution was needed so that persons were not ambushed during proceedings. The Tribunal will resume at 10.30 tomorrow morning.
