The Moriarty Tribunal is to bring forward new evidence relating to the financial dealings of Michael Lowry. The evidence concerns dealings between the former Fine Gael Minister and the multi-millionaire businessman, Denis O'Brien. They involve property deals, allegedly funded from an account controlled by Mr O'Brien. However, Mr O'Brien, whose company was awarded a mobile phone licence by Mr Lowry, claims he has no knowledge of the transactions.
In a statement this evening, Mr O'Brien said that he had co-operated with counsels to the Tribunal and had indicated his willingness to give further assistance and evidence if required. Charles Haughey said that he had come to the Moriarty Tribunal against his doctor's advice. Mr Haughey said that he had not come voluntarily.
He said that this was in breach of his human rights and would shorten his life. The evidence which Mr Haughey gave in private to the Tribunal is being revealed today, as the public sittings resumed after two months.
The Tribunal is investigating payments to former Taoiseach Mr Haughey and Michael Lowry, the former Fine Gael Minister and independent TD. Mr Haughey gave approximately 20 hours of evidence in private over a 20-day period because of his medical condition.
Mr Haughey was asked about the operation of the leader's account. The Tribunal asked him about a £25,000 cheque payable to cash lodged to an account at Amiens Securities on 16 June, 1989. The account was managed by Des Traynor, Mr Haughey's financial advisor. Mr Haughey was asked if he could have made that lodgement. He replied that he had not. He added that he had not made a lodgement to a bank in 30 years.
Mr Haughey was also asked about lodgements of £100,000 into the leader's account in 1986. They were placed in two separate cheques of £50,000 in April and October of that year. The cheques were drawn from an account of Mr Edmund Farrell at Irish Permanent Building Society. Mr Haughey replied that he saw no difference between money given to him for party political reasons or for purely personal reasons. He believed that Mr Farrell approved of his political work and wanted to support him.
