Ahern can’t recall why he withdrew IR£50,000

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday gave the Mahon Planning Tribunal three different reasons for withdrawing IR£50,000 in cash from a bank account.

Judge Mary Faherty said the Taoiseach was giving different reasons from those he gave in evidence last week, reasons which were “like polar opposites”.

The tribunal heard the money was lodged to an account in the name of Mr Ahern’s former partner Celia Larkin in December 1994. It was withdrawn the following month and given back to him in cash.