The builder Tom Brennan has come under intense questioning about his business relationship with former Fianna Fail minister Ray Burke at the Flood Tribunal today. Mr Brennan was in the witness box over a year ago but never mentioned the thousands of pounds lodged to offshore accounts for Ray Burke in the 1980s. When asked why, he said that he was not asked. He added that he believed he was only there to answer questions about payments in Ireland.
However, the Tribunal could point to numerous letters asking for information about any payments to Ray Burke, as well as the questions put to him during his last appearance in the witness box. Pat Hanratty SC said that Mr Brennan had told lies, accusing him of perjuring himself. He said that Mr Brennan must have been aware of the offshore payments but had not disclosed them until he was rumbled by the Tribunal. He had waited until now to cobble together the nonsensical excuse that he did not know what questions would be asked.
These payments, which totalled £125,000, were paid into banks in the Isle of Man and Jersey for Ray Burke in the early 1980s. Tom Brennan maintains that the payments were political donations for Ray Burke and Fianna Fáil. However, he could not explain why they were routed through offshore companies. Mr Justice Feargus Flood, Chairman of the Tribunal, warned Tom Brennan twice during his evidence that he could face two years in jail or be fined if found to be obstructing the work of the Tribunal.
