Haughey intervened to get Lebanese girl citizenship

FORMER Taoiseach Charles J Haughey personally authorised the granting of Irish citizenship to a 14-year-old Lebanese girl, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.

Faten Mubarak received her certificate of naturalisation on May 4, 1990 three days after her father Sliman's application on her behalf.

Former Ceann Comhairle, Dr John O'Connell, sponsored 15 naturalisations of foreign citizens these are now being probed by the tribunal.

Officials in the Department of Justice warned that the naturalisation question could "prove embarrassing" to Dr O'Connell and leave him open to severe criticism.

As Minister for Justice, the late Seán Doherty authorised 10 of the 15 documents that allowed the holders to gain Irish passports.

The tribunal is examining whether Mr Haughey benefited financially from decisions he made as Taoiseach. The tribunal has established that Mr Haughey received £8.5 million from supporters to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Sliman Mubarak, who had family connections to Saudi Arabian bloodstock owner Mahmoud Fustok, had been granted Irish citizenship in September 1982. However, Department of Justice officials expressed concern at the lack of independent proof of his Irish residency.

Department official David McAuliffe said he was instructed to draft the document relating to Faten's case. There was no record of a ministerial decision on the girl's case, just notes from a meeting by senior official Cathal Crowley with Mr Haughey.

When Mr Crowley, who was in charge of the aliens section, relayed doubts about the validity of Sliman Mubarak's application, Mr Haughey suggested they "let sleeping dogs lie" and requested that Faten's nationalisation proceed.

Mr McAuliffe's note on the signed certificate said it was delivered to the Taoiseach's office. Usually, such documents were sent by registered post to the applicant's address or were collected from the department.

Another department official, Bryan O'Brien, said his view was not to recommend citizenship to Faten Mubarak. In January 1989 there was no written evidence of her being resident here.

Tribunal senior counsel Jacqueline O'Brien said it appeared that Mr Haughey used close contact with senior officials of all departments to make personal queries in regard to official business.

Department of Justice official Paula Connolly said she received a dozen phone calls from Mr Haughey's department between November 30, 1988, and September 7, 1990 all relating to Faten Mubarak.

The tribunal resumes at Dublin Castle on Tuesday.