Lawyers accuse inquiry of concealing documents

THE Moriarty Tribunal could be facing another legal challenge to its work from Denis O’Brien after lawyers for the billionaire businessman yesterday accused the inquiry of deliberately concealing documents about its dealings with economist Peter Bacon.

Eoin McGonigal SC, counsel for Mr O’Brien, claimed his client was only furnished with two crucial documents by the tribunal for the first time last Friday relating to Mr Bacon, who was engaged by the inquiry to carry out a controversial report on aspects of the competition for the State’s second mobile phone licence.

The allegation was made at what was expected to be the last public hearing of the inquiry at Dublin Castle yesterday. However, tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, adjourned proceedings until next Tuesday as a result of heated exchanges between the parties.