The Moriarty Tribunal has heard how the medical expenses for the late Brian Lenihan were settled in part by the VHI and that Fianna Fail members raising funds for Mr. Lenihan were not aware of the company's role. The Tribunal also heard of £75,000 transferred from the party leader’s account to an account used to pay Charles Haughey’s bills.
In 1989 Charles Haughey told Paul Kavanagh, the Fianna Fail national fundraiser that Brian Lenihan was in trouble. Mr. Kavanagh and the late Peter Hanly drew up a list of around 15 business contacts and began making phone calls. They hoped to raise around £150,000 but Mr. Kavanagh believes they fell short of that target. He told the Tribunal he did not know how much was eventually raised.
Nor did Mr. Kavanagh know that Charles Haughey had asked the General Manager of the VHI, Tom Ryan, if the company would look favourably on Mr. Lenihan’s situation and consider paying part of his medical expenses. After this request the board of the VHI voted unanimously to foot Mr. Lenihan's hospital bill, which eventually came to £57,000
The Tribunal also heard today about £75,000 lodged into the account of Haughey and Boland which corresponds to withdrawals from the Fianna Fail Party Leaders account. Mr. Haughey used the Haughey and Boland account to pay his bills.
