‘Bertiegate’ lender’s firm wound up amid €1m debt

ONE of the businessmen who gave Bertie Ahern €50,000 while he was Finance Minister saw his company wound up yesterday with debts of nearly €1 million.

The High Court appointed a liquidator to deal with Joe Burke’s building firm, which employed 16 people.

Mr Burke came to public attention during the ‘Bertiegate’ affair last autumn when the Taoiseach was forced to reveal the former Fianna Fáil councillor was among 12 “close friends” who loaned him the equivalent of €50,000 to help pay for costs arising from his marriage break-up.

Mr Ahern did not repay the amount until after the loan became public when he handed back €90,000 — including 12 years’ interest — to his associates, though the bulk went to charity.

Mr Burke, chairman of Dublin Port Company in 2002, has been a long-time confidante of the Taoiseach since they became friends while neighbours in Drumcondra three decades ago.

The ‘Bertiegate’ affair has come back to haunt Mr Ahern in recent days. Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds insisted it was wrong for a serving finance minister to borrow money from individuals.

He said Mr Ahern did not seek permission from him for the unusual financial arrangement and would not have received such backing if he sought it.

Mr Reynolds indicated he believed Mr Ahern’s judgment in the matter had damaged Irish public life.

In the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy ordered the winding up of J and H Burke and appointed liquidator Kenneth Fennell. The judge also directed that a meeting of creditors be convened. Mr Fennell will secure the company’s assets and establish a full list of creditors.