Walsh surprised to learn private Cork dinner was FF fundraiser

FORMER agriculture minister Joe Walsh told the Mahon Tribunal yesterday he was “surprised” to discover a private dinner he attended in Cork before St Patrick’s Day in 1994 was a Fianna Fáil party fundraising event.

Evidence has been given that £50,000 was raised — an average of £5,000 a man — but no individual receipts were issued.

The function was attended by then taoiseach Albert Reynolds, then chief party fundraiser Des Richardson and then party secretary general Pat Farrell, in accountant Niall Welch’s Glanmire home.