At the Flood Tribunal this morning, it was suggested that former Minister Ray Burke received £30,000 of JMSE money in 1989 and not £40,000, as alleged by James Gogarty. Counsel for the Murphy Group, Garret Cooney, has also suggested that it was James Gogarty who directed the withdrawal of the £30,000 from JMSE funds. He put it to Mr Gogarty that he was, in effect, the boss at the time. Mr Gogarty has rejected all these suggestions.
This morning, the tribunal heard details of bank records from June 1989, the month of the alleged payment to Ray Burke. Council for the Murphy Group, Garret Cooney produced photocopies of bank stubs and statements, which he said showed the origin of the sum of money paid to the former Minister. He said they showed that the sum was £30,000 not £40,000, as Mr Gogarty has claimed. He said they also showed that the money came in the form of £20,000 in cash and a cheque for £10,000.
Mr Cooney said that the company accountant would give evidence that at this time James Gogarty exercised the authority of the boss. Mr Cooney put it to Mr Gogarty that he was the one who directed the drawing down of the funds for the purpose of paying Mr Burke. Mr Gogarty said "I'm telling you, I did not."
