‘Evidence of plot to discredit Ahern’

EXTRAORDINARY claims concerning the Taoiseach’s personal finances emerged yesterday as the Mahon Tribunal decided whether it has the power to continue its probe into Bertie Ahern’s affairs.

Judge Alan Mahon will today rule on demands from the Taoiseach’s lawyers that the corruption investigation has lost its jurisdiction to examine Mr Ahern’s conduct.

With a little more than a week to go before Mr Ahern and his former partner Celia Larkin are due to give evidence to the probe, claims emerged of an attempt to lodge a sterling sum equivalent to €175,000 into the Taoiseach’s bank account in 2005.