Senator: New info links Lowry to club

A Fianna Fáil senator claims he has “new information” that links Michael Lowry to a British football club transaction probed by the Moriarty Tribunal.

Diarmuid Wilson used Seanad privilege yesterday to raise questions about the evidence of some of the tribunal witnesses.

In particular, he said he had information to suggest one TD attended “well in excess” of 50 meetings relating to the 1998 purchase of Doncaster Rovers football club in England.

“It is my understanding that neither these meetings, nor their extent, were advised to the tribunal.”

Mr Wilson did not name the TD in question, but party sources confirmed he was referring to Michael Lowry.

Earlier this year, the tribunal stated in its final report that it was “satisfied that Mr Lowry did have an involvement in the Doncaster Rovers transaction which, it was intended, would entail a payment to, or the conferral of, a pecuniary advantage on Mr Lowry by Mr Denis O’Brien”.

The tribunal found that this was after Mr Lowry, as a Fine Gael minister in 1995, had helped Mr O’Brien’s Esat consortium win the State’s second mobile phone licence.

Mr Lowry rejected the tribunal’s findings in their entirety.

Mr Wilson told the Seanad yesterday that the tribunal, which has concluded its inquiry, will shortly adjudicate on the issue of third-party legal costs.

“The auditor general has estimated these costs will be in the region of €80m to €100m,” said Mr Wilson.

“I wish to advise the House that I have received new information that raises concerns about the evidence of some key tribunal witnesses, particularly a member of the Lower House [Dáil].

“The new information refers to the acquisition of Doncaster Rovers Football Club and records that the member attended well in excess of 50 meetings relating to this acquisition.

“It is my understanding that neither these meetings nor their extent were advised to the tribunal, and I will be forwarding this information to the tribunal.”

Mr Wilson could not be reached last night for further comment.

Mr Lowry responded: “If he has information that’s relevant to the tribunal, by all means send it to the tribunal.” He did not comment further.

In rejecting the tribunal’s findings earlier this year, Mr Lowry said he did not engage in any wrongdoing in relation to the awarding of the licence.

He also said he received no payments or benefits from Mr O’Brien in relation to the licence.