Fine Gael leader John Bruton held an investigation into a bribery allegation that his party knew nothing about, the Mahon Tribunal has heard.
Councillor Therese Ridge told the tribunal today that she gave a statement to Mr Bruton in 2000 about the allegation that fellow councillor, the late Tom Hand, demanded a £250,000 bribe.
But counsel for Fine Gael told the inquiry at the time that the party had no knowledge of the allegation.
John Bruton denied to the tribunal in 2000 that lobbyist Frank Dunlop personally told him of the demand for money seven years earlier.
Last October he said he had forgotten but now remembered the incident.
Today, Fine Gael councillor Therese Ridge said Mr Bruton was outraged and extremely perturbed when the allegation surfaced in the newspapers in April 2000.
Mr Dunlop had first complained to her and deputy Olivia Mitchell about Mr Hand.
She said both women were asked for narrative statements by Mr Bruton.
Ms Mitchell's statement along with notes by Ms Ridge were found strewn around the carpark of Leinster House in April 2000 and handed into the tribunal.
Patricia Dillon SC for the tribunal said counsel for Fine Gael had denied any knowledge of the allegation during public hearings the day after the documents were found.
Ms Ridge admitted she did not tell a garda inquiry about the allegation against Mr Hand.
She said she would not be a conduit for hearsay.
