Mahon Tribunal: Businessman brought blank cheque to function attended by Albert Reynolds

BUSINESSMAN John McCarthy told the Mahon Tribunal yesterday he brought a blank cheque to a private dinner attended by former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds in Cork accountant Niall Welch’s Glanmire home on March 11, 1994.

Mr McCarthy, from Fermoy, Co Cork, described how he and others gathered in their host’s courtyard, and after a discussion, he and other guests agreed each would give a IR£5,000 contribution. He filled in the amount and left his envelope on the table.

The tribunal has heard about 20 prominent Cork businessmen accepted an invitation to hear Mr Reynolds give a talk on the Cork and national economic situation. Also present was former agriculture minister Joe Walsh. Some IR£50,000 was raised for Fianna Fáil.

The tribunal is investigating claims by developer Tom Gilmartin that his former business partner, Cork-based businessman Owen O’Callaghan, told him he handed Mr Reynolds IR£150,000 in cash in March 1994 following a private dinner.

Mr O’Callaghan and Mr Reynolds deny the allegation.