FF looks for donation receipts
The latest controversy adds to the party’s continuing embarrassment over payments to FF figures being scrutinised at the Mahon and Moriarty tribunals.
Sher Mohammed Rafique claims he gave FF envelopes and bags of cash worth up to €250,000 over a period of about 20 years.
The Pakistani businessman is involved in a legal dispute with FF’s Mayo director of elections John O’Dwyer, through whom he made the donations.
The Mayo solicitor was the beef baron’s legal adviser and property manager while he operated of one of the country’s biggest meat plants in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, from the early 1970s to 1992.
Although Mr Rafique started legal proceedings against Mr O’Dwyer in a row over property, he said he has no quarrel with Fianna Fáil and was not divulging details of his donations because of animosity towards the party.
According to a report in The Sunday Times yesterday, contrary to the party’s fundraising rules, Mr Rafique never received a receipt from FF headquarters for donations of between €12,500 and €63,500.
While FF headquarters said it was going through its records for evidence of the donations, party sources said it was unclear whether the donations were made to the local party organisation in Mayo or were intended for party HQ in Dublin.
The payments were allegedly made long before the present guidelines and legislation on receiving donations were laid down, the source added.
Stating that he never sought or received any favours in return, Mr Rafique said he didn’t think it was necessary to ask for a receipt.
“I worked in Ireland from the 1970s to 1992. Throughout that period, I was a consistent contributor to the Fianna Fáil party. I genuinely believe political parties cannot function effectively without the support of the community. Throughout my life, I have contributed to particular parties in Pakistan, the United Kingdom and in Ireland,” Mr Rafique said.
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