I was given $10k by businessman in Manchester, says Richardson

POCKETING a bulky envelope given by an English businessman before a Manchester United match in May 1994, former Fianna Fáil chief fundraiser Des Richardson discovered next day it contained $10,000 (€6,750) cash, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

Mr Richardson said he had been invited to the football game in Manchester by Norman Turner and, after “a liquid lunch”, was given the envelope which he didn’t open until the next day in his Dublin office.

Asked by tribunal lawyer Des O’Neill SC why he didn’t check the envelope while with Mr Turner, Mr Richardson replied: “It would not be good manners to open the donation in his presence. I was a man in my 40s. I wasn’t getting a present from Santa Claus. I could wait.”