Gilmartin evidence conflicts with Ahern’s account

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and Sligo businessman Tom Gilmartin have given the Mahon Tribunal conflicting accounts of meetings they had to discuss the redevelopment of Bachelors Walk in the late 1980s.

Mr Gilmartin said he had his first meeting with Mr Ahern in October 1987 when he was Minister for Labour after he was advised by Ray MacSharry and Dublin Corporation officials that he should appraise the minister of the project because of its potential to create a large number of jobs.

The tribunal heard that Mr Ahern had made a statement saying he did not meet Mr Gilmartin until October 1988 and that he had two meetings with him in quick succession just three days apart. Mr Gilmartin said he could not account for Mr Ahern’s recollections but he was certain they met in 1987 in Mr Ahern’s Department of Labour offices on Mespil Road.