Ahern takes up late slot to give evidence

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will make his wished-for early appearance at the Mahon Tribunal today but only after it emerged that the process that led to his slot being pushed back until after Easter was partly of his own making.

On learning on Monday his evidence would not be heard until after the tribunal resumes on April 21, Mr Ahern had expressed disappointment at the delay, citing diary difficulties in May.

But yesterday, chairman of the tribunal Alan Mahon responded to newspaper reports of the Taoiseach’s disappointment by making it clear it was Mr Ahern’s decision not to appear this week.