Mobile bidder tells of Desmond ‘meeting’

FINANCIER Dermot Desmond told one of the failed bidders for the State’s second mobile phone licence he knew who Denis O’Brien would use to get to Michael Lowry, the Moriarty Tribunal was told yesterday.

Tony Boyle, who was at the time was chairman of Persona Digital Telephony Ltd, said Mr Desmond made the remark during a conversation at the Aintree Grand National in April, 1995. He said they were both there as guests of financier and racehorse owner JP McManus.

The topic of the second GSM licence competition came up and Mr Boyle explained he had put a consortium together to bid for the licence. According to Mr Boyle, Mr Desmond said he had been approached by Mr O’Brien to act as chairman of his consortium but had declined.