Charles Haughey has admitted to the Moriarty Tribunal that he knew the late hotelier PV Doyle was helping with his finances. However, he told the Tribunal he did not know the details of what was involved. Mr Doyle took out a loan in the mid-1980s with Guinness and Mahon Bank for Charles Haughey's benefit. Over the years the loan accumulated to over £300,000. It was outstanding at the time of Mr Doyle's death in 1988 and his estate cleared the debt with a cheque for over £150,000.
Mr Haughey said today that Des Traynor told him that their friend PV Doyle was helping out with his finances but he did not know that a bank loan was involved. He said he would have thought it was by way of a donation or personal loan. Charles Haughey described PV Doyle as generous, charitable and as having a reputation of helping young people.
Charles Haughey was also questioned about a payment from a Saudi Arabian diplomat in the mid-1980s. He asked about a £50,0000 cheque for cash which he received from Dr John O’Connell in 1985. Dr O' Connell claims that he was asked to pass this on by Mr Mahoud Fustock, a brother-in-law of the Crown prince of Saudi Arabia. Mr Haughey said that he was concerned about the blood stock industry here and wanted Mr Fustock to set up a stud farm. When this did not come to pass Mr Haughey suspects that by way of recompense or as a gesture Mr Fustock bought a horse from him instead.
