Barry ‘puzzled and amused’ by Welch invitation

CORK businessman Mitchel Barry was “puzzled and amused” at his invitation to a private dinner because he wasn’t told the name of the special guest of honour, the Mahon Tribunal has heard.

Mr Barry said he had been to accountant Niall Welch’s Glanmire home on previous occasions.

“I said yes, that I was free but I’d have to check with my wife and he said no, it’s actually an all-male dinner,” said Mr Barry, recounting the backdrop to the March 11, 1994, function.

When he got to the Welch residence he discovered the taoiseach of the day, Albert Reynolds, was the special guest.

Most of those present gave IR£5,000, the tribunal heard, and £50,000 was lodged the following Monday to Fianna Fáil’s bank account.

Quizzed by tribunal lawyer Patricia Dillon, Mr Barry said he was “absolutely positive” Mr Welch didn’t mention it was also a FF fundraiser.

He insisted that nobody from FF approached him for funds the night of the dinner.

He didn’t donate on the night but later told party fundraiser Roy Donovan he would consider it.

But he declined the invitation to make a donation some weeks later when he met Mr Donovan again.

Mr Barry, who said he would donate between £150 and £200 to the major political parties and up to £300 or £400 for a golf outing or another fundraising event, made out a personal cheque to FF for £2,500 on April 12, 1994.

At the dinner party, Mr Reynolds had asked about his company and Mr Barry mentioned his staff of 200 to 250 were gathering the following night to celebrate the company being the first in its sector to achieve the ISO 9002 standards award.

Mr Barry asked if he had the Taoiseach’s permission to convey his congratulations to the gathering and Mr Reynolds said: “We’ll do this properly. You will have a letter at the Silver Springs [hotel] on your arrival tomorrow from me.”

“He promised to attend the official presentation to the company,” said Mr Barry.

This event took place some weeks later and Mr Reynolds attended. “I was grateful for his support and at the time reversed my original decision about making a contribution.”