McDowell’s appointment to tribunal faces test

THE surprise appointment of Michael McDowell to represent the Moriarty Tribunal at its public hearings is due to be challenged at the High Court later today.

Lawyers for businessmen Dermot Desmond and Denis O’Brien told the inquiry yesterday that they would seek a judicial review of Mr McDowell’s appointment due to his former role as a minister for justice and attorney general.

The former Progressive Democrats leader and tánaiste is appearing for the Tribunal as a replacement for long-serving tribunal barrister, John Coughlan, who had to stand down due to ill health.