Dunphy testimony date is put back

EAMON DUNPHY, due to testify on Friday over his sensational bribery allegations against Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, will now give his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal at a later date.

A lawyer for one of the parties is not available on Friday to question Mr Dunphy about allegations he made last year. Mr Dunphy alleged developer Owen O’Callaghan told him he gave money to Mr Ahern in return for political favours. He claims Mr O’Callaghan told him, over dinner in the mid-’90s, Mr Ahern “had been bought”.

Mr Dunphy’s testimony is potentially the first direct independent corroboration of claims by Sligo-born developer Tom Gilmartin. In 1998, Mr Gilmartin first made allegations of corruption against Mr Ahern and Mr O’Callaghan to tribunal lawyers. Both strongly deny the claims.