PADDY TEAHON, the former executive chairman of the State company that owns the €62 million National Aquatic Centre (NAC), has denied before the High Court that he was under extreme pressure from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to have matters regarding the centre sorted so it would be open in time for the Special Olympics of summer 2003.

AN agreement of April 30, 2003, appeared to contemplate all pool receipts from the €62 million National Aquatic Centre (NAC) were to be paid into an account in the sole name of Limerickman Pat Mulcair.

The National Aquatic Centre - built two years ago at a cost of €62m to the Irish taxpayer - is reportedly leaking millions of litres of water through massive cracks in its floor.