Treasurers did not know balance of ‘B/T’ account

UNTIL recent weeks both treasurers in Bertie Ahern’s Dublin Central constituency did not know exactly how much was in the “B/T” account from which Celia Larkin was loaned IR£30,000, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

Dominic Dillane — who was elected “No 1 treasurer” in 2001 — said until this year he had relied entirely on the information regarding the account given to him — seven years previously — by the Taoiseach. When Mr Dillane joined the organisation as treasurer, Mr Ahern told him the account contained about €47,000 and that the loan was outstanding.

John J Murphy, his assistant and “No 2 treasurer” since 2005, said he would be relying on the word of Mr Dillane regarding the so-called Building Trust account. He was not involved in preparing this account for the constituency’s annual general meetings, was never shown the B/T figures, and he never asked for them.

Judge Gerald Keys said that Mr Dillane could not have known the balance in the B/T account because he didn’t have any access to it; the only person with access was Tim Collins. At this stage, Mr Murphy said Mr Dillane made him aware of the “approximate balance”.

Quizzed why neither treasurer knew exactly what was in the B/T account, Mr Murphy replied: “I was the second treasurer and my work was basically out canvassing.”

Earlier, Mr Dillane told the tribunal he was not aware any documentation relating to the B/T account was held in the constituency office, St Luke’s in Drumcondra. He was not aware of any documentation showing a connection between the B/T account and Fianna Fáil.

The tribunal previously heard the loan, given to the Taoiseach’s former partner, was repaid earlier this year. Asked if he knew why, Mr Dillane replied: “No, I don’t know the motivation.”

Ms Larkin gave back €49,000, which included interest on the loan from 1993 onwards.

Her cheque was handed in to St Luke’s and lodged to the constituency’s donations account earlier this year.

Mr Dillane said he presented a treasurer’s report to AGMs of the Comhairle Dáil Ceanntar for six years, but did not know exactly how much was in the account.

He said he would tell the meeting there had been no transactions but would not be able to tell them the account balance. Judge Keys commented that he found this extraordinary. For all the witness knew, the only person who could take money out of the B/T account [Collins], could have cleaned it out.

Mr Dillane said: “I would believe the Taoiseach, and do not believe that this close associate of his would do that.”

He described Mr Collins and the other Fianna Fáil constituency officers as being “as honest as the day is long”.

Following a request by Judge Keys, Mr Dillane said that he would check to see if he could find copies of his treasurer’s reports.

The Mahon Tribunal resumes next Wednesday.