‘Ahern gave Burke £750,000 for resignation’

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was behind a £750,000 “golden handshake” to former foreign minister Ray Burke to persuade him to resign from the Cabinet a decade ago, it was claimed yesterday.

Former developer Tom Gilmartin alleged at the Mahon Tribunal that a consortium of developers — led by the JMSE group and including Michael Bailey — funded the payoff deal.

According to the 74-year-old tribunal witness, the purpose behind the proposal was to forestall the setting-up of the planning tribunal. Mr Gilmartin also alleged the money was paid to Mr Burke.