Executive ‘didn’t know about FG donation’
He told the tribunal he had no memory of signing the cheque, drawn on a joint bank account set up to pay business expenses, connected with Esat Digifone’s bid for the country’s second mobile phone licence in 1995.
It was used to buy a bank draft to sponsor a Fine Gael golf classic held in the K Club, Co Kildare, on October 16. Nine days later Digifone was announced as GSM2 competition winner.
Mr Myhre said he had no recollection of having authorised the withdrawal for a political donation.
The account was for business expenses and he was shocked and upset to find his name associated with a political donation.
The cheque was used to back a draft payable to Fine Gael and accompanied a letter, dated October 9, from Denis O’Brien’s Esat Telecom to FG parliamentary party chairman Phil Hogan TD.
“I understand Denis has requested that there are no references made to his contribution at the event,” Sarah Carey, Esat Telecom marketing co-ordinator, wrote back to Mr Hogan.
Ms O’Brien asked Mr Myhre if he was aware that two months after October 6, Arve Johansen of Telenor had no difficulty in providing a donation of $50,000, on behalf of Esat Digifone, to Fine Gael.
Mr Myhre said he had become aware of this two years later.
Counsel said Denis O’Brien’s evidence pointed to the probability the cheque was attached to a copy of an August 30 letter from Mr Hogan, who thanked Mr O’Brien for agreeing to be a sponsor.
A staff member asked Mr O’Brien how he wanted to handle the payment and after reference to a personal cheque was struck out, Mr O’Brien asked a draft be used.
Eoghan Fitzsimons SC, for Telenor, pointed out they had heard from two Esat Telecom witnesses that on some occasions no document was attached to cheques and that verbal explanations were given.
The tribunal was adjourned until Tuesday next.
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