Lowry accountant courted O’Brien camp, businessman tells tribunal

AN OFFER by Michael Lowry’s accountant to mediate in a dispute over professional fees was an attempt to curry favour with telecoms mogul Denis O’Brien, it was suggested to the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday.

Mr O’Brien’s former business adviser Aidan Phelan said: “Denis O’Connor wanted to get in there. I believe he was courting the O’Brien camp with a view to getting some work.”

Isle of Man company Westferry Ltd bought Doncaster Rovers Football Club in August 1998 for Stg£4.3 million (€6.4 million). O’Brien family interests became the beneficial owners via a discretionary trust.

Mr Lowry was Communications Minister when the Esat Digifone consortium headed by Mr O’Brien won the licence setting up the country’s second mobile phone licence in 1996.

The tribunal is investigating whether Mr Lowry was involved in the Doncaster project. Mr Lowry denies he was involved.

A bitter row erupted over the finder’s fees claimed by British-based property agent Kevin Phelan, who had introduced the Doncaster project and had sought 40% of the profits.

Kevin Phelan later lodged complaints with an accountancy institute over his professional treatment by Aidan Phelan (no relation), Aidan’s brother Brian and his accountancy firm.

By the time complaints were lodged, Aidan Phelan told the tribunal he was out of his brother’s firm for five years and was running his business outside Ireland.

Questioned about references in documents that Mr Lowry attended negotiations relating to the Doncaster transaction, Mr Phelan said it did not make sense and he would need to ask Mr O’Connor to explain this.

Aidan Phelan said he had steered the project from the start and if Mr Lowry had been given an interest he should have known it. To his knowledge, Mr Lowry never had an interest.