‘I have no interest in personal gain or benefit and never had’

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern landed the first blow at the Mahon Tribunal yesterday when he preempted lawyers’ questions by insisting in an opening statement he was the victim of “hearsay” and “baseless” allegations.

Mr Ahern rejected claims by developer Tom Gilmartin that he had received monies from Cork builder Owen O’Callaghan relating to the Quarryvale lands.

“I have been the subject to an unprecedented attack on my integrity and honesty,” he said.