Bank official at a loss to explain tribunal statement

AIB official Jim McNamara had “no explanation” yesterday for telling the Mahon Tribunal in June 2006 he was unaware Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s former partner Celia Larkin handled large cash transactions at his Dublin branch.

The previous month Mr McNamara had drawn up a detailed list of movements in her bank accounts — at Ms Larkin’s written request. Records show some 18 lodgments and withdrawals totalling IR£122,856.39 over the eight-month period between February 1993 and November 1995.

Her solicitor, Hugh Millar, intervened to dispel the notion that Ms Larkin had been walking around with large amounts of cash when she had converted the money to bank drafts.