Burke hints that source of leaks ‘close to home’

FORMER Fianna Fáil minister Ray Burke has advised the chairman of the Planning Tribunal, Judge Alan Mahon, to look “close to home” for the source of leaks of confidential papers from the inquiry.

Mr Burke, who was making his first appearance at Dublin Castle since November 2001, said the tribunal should look towards who benefited from the disclosure of such material. He said that not one of the many continuous leaks which had been going on over the past seven years had been favourable towards him.

“It might not be bad to look close to home,” said the former Dublin North TD. Judge Mahon replied caustically: “whatever that means.”