A former director of Century Radio, James Stafford, has told the Flood Tribunal that the former government press secretary, PJ Mara, had expected to be paid £30,000 by the station. Mr Stafford said that he was informed of Mr Mara's request by his partner, Oliver Barry, but that no explanation was ever given. He said that he regarded it as suspicious and improper and he refused to pay it. Mr Stafford has already told the Tribunal in private he was told of a so-called price list for licences involving the former minister, Ray Burke, and Mr Mara. Lawyers for Mr Burke have tried to prevent the allegations against him being repeated in public.
Mr Burke's lawyers said that it was unfair and unconstitutional that hearsay evidence should be aired. Aidan Walsh SC said that the public would be left with an impression of wrongdoing on the part of Mr Burke and others which might not be corrected for some years. A ruling is expected on the admissibility of the allegations against Ray Burke but Mr Stafford went on to repeat his claims about PJ Mara.
Mr Stafford said that Oliver Barry told him that PJ Mara had asked them for £30,000 after they had won their licence in 1989. Mr Stafford said that he could never get any real explanation for this request and regarded it as suspicious. When the demands continued he agreed to attend a meeting in Dermot Desmond's office. He said that Dermot Desmond suggested PJ Mara was owed money. Mr Stafford said he made it clear that he would have nothing to do with it. He said that as soon as he mentioned this, they could not get rid of him quick enough. He was approached again by Dermot Desmond the same year at Conor Haughey's wedding. He said that Dermot Desmond had given PJ Mara a loan of £100,000 and wanted him paid so he in turn could be repaid.
The Tribunal also heard that PJ Mara, Dermot Desmond and Oliver Barry would all contradict Mr Stafford's version of events. They have each told the Tribunal that the meeting was to discuss the possibility of a consultancy job for PJ Mara with Century Radio. Today Mr Stafford said that there was never any discussion with him of a job for PJ Mara with century. He said that his memory is absolutely clear on the matter.
Earlier Mr Stafford denied there was an understanding with Ray Burke to fix the level of transmission charges for a new national radio station. Lawyers for the Flood Tribunal questioned why the station applied for a ministerial directive, when a price had already been agreed between Mr Burke and RTÉ. James Stafford said that it was still felt that RTÉ's charges were too high, and the minister was contacted. However, he rejected suggestions that Century had an understanding with Mr Burke that he would come up with a figure to suit them.
