Up to 5% of FF donations made via ‘pick-me-ups’

AS MUCH as 5% of the money raised to fund Fianna Fáil came through a bill-paying system known as “pick-me-ups” (PMUs), the Mahon Planning Tribunal heard yesterday.

Former long-serving FF chief fundraiser Des Richardson explained how the system permitted donors to contribute to party funds by “picking up” and paying bills on party’s behalf.

The system allowed donors to remain anonymous — if they so wished. But he said there was nothing underhand in this party funding method.