‘Blank cheque Bertie’ faces Moriarty

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was last night bracing himself for criticism by the Moriarty Tribunal over blank cheques he signed for Charles Haughey.

The nine-year probe into the finances of the former Taoiseach, who died in June, is set to be made public within the next few months and is likely to cause embarrassment for Fianna Fáil in the run-up to next summer’s expected general election.

Mr Ahern was said to be “not unduly concerned” by the investigation’s findings.