Tribunal defence has cost €9m: O’Brien

MORE than €9m has been spent by businessman Denis O’Brien on legal representation at the Moriarty Tribunal, it emerged yesterday.

The telecoms tycoon expressed anger at the vast expenses he was forced to incur to defend his reputation at the long-running inquiry which, he noted, had itself cost an estimated €200m to date.

Mr O’Brien questioned the purpose of such lengthy proceedings when he reminded tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, that it was established in September 1997 as a matter of urgent public importance.