Ahern in bid to halt probe on personal finances

AN attempt was made yesterday to have Taoiseach Bertie Ahern dropped from giving evidence to the Mahon Planning Tribunal, which was set up to probe planning corruption in the Dublin area.

His legal team argued Mr Ahern should not be called, insisting the inquiry does not have the power to investigate the Taoiseach’s private financial affairs.

Tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon said he would give his ruling next Monday.

The Taoiseach’s lawyer Conor Maguire SC quoted the recent Fitzwilton case in the Supreme Court to argue the tribunal had no jurisdiction in the matter. He also submitted Mr Ahern was entitled to “fair procedures” relating to the way witnesses were called.

Mr Ahern was due to testify on July 26 and 27 to answer questions about his private finances — and specifically about substantial sums of money he received — when he was minister for finance over a decade ago.

The tribunal wants Mr Ahern to explain lodgements between 1993 and 1995 to bank accounts for his benefit and in the names of his daughters. According to the tribunal, the five lodgements made totalled over £116,000.

Also, the tribunal is investigating a claim by British-based businessman Tom Gilmartin, 72, that Cork-based developer Owen O’Callaghan told him he paid two sums totalling £80,000 to Mr Ahern for alleged political favours.

In a surprise move yesterday, Conor Maguire SC submitted that Mr Gilmartin’s cross-examination — begun on Thursday and due to resume next Tuesday — should be completed before Mr Ahern and related witnesses are called. These listed witnesses include the Taoiseach’s former partner Celia Larkin and Mr Ahern’s millionaire friend, Manchester-based businessman Micheal Wall. Mr Ahern bought his Dublin home from Mr Wall in the mid-1990s.

Mr Maguire described the Gilmartin claim againstthe Taoiseach as “threadbare allegations which to all reasonable observers are now withering on the vine”.