Lowry ‘would be just as happy if rivals won bid’

MICHAEL LOWRY would have been equally happy if the Persona consortium had won the competition to run the State’s second mobile phone network, according to a member of the civil service team that evaluated the six bidders.

The project group selected Esat Digifone, headed by Denis O’Brien, and, as Minister for Communications, Mr Lowry announced the outcome in October 1995. Persona, backed by Sigma Wireless and Motorola, had been favourites.

At the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday, Fintan Towey rejected suggestions by tribunal lawyer John Coughlan SC that the decision was being forced through by project team chairman Martin Brennan because he knew the minister wanted a result.