Tribunal fails to identify ‘Bertiegate’ leak source

THE Mahon Tribunal has failed to identify who leaked a confidential letter that triggered the September political crisis involving Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

The revelation that a group of businessmen had made personal payments to Mr Ahern totalling between €50,000 and €100,000 when he was Finance Minister in 1993 was published in The Irish Times.

In a brief statement, chairman Judge Alan Mahon set out the action taken by the tribunal to uncover the source of the leak, including interviews conducted by himself with all tribunal staff. All of the staff told him they had not leaked the document.

Judge Mahon said he had asked the political party leaders in the Dáil if they could assist in identifying the source of the document but, up to the present time, they had not replied.

Judge Mahon said the tribunal investigation was suspended pending possible High Court action to compel Irish Times editor Geraldine Kennedy and staff journalist Colm Keena to disclose the source of the unauthorised disclosure.

Both had refused to answer questions that could identify the source when they gave evidence to the tribunal.

Unless the journalists were prepared, or compelled, to disclose the information, “the tribunal will be unable to identify the source”, Judge Mahon added.

Ms Kennedy and Mr Keena face possible penalties of €300,000 and two years’ jail for defying the tribunal.

Both said they destroyed documents relating to payments received by Mr Ahern to ensure the protection of the newspaper’s sources.