‘Lowry’s influence was direct, indirect and insidious’

CONTROVERSIAL businessman Denis O’Brien won Ireland’s lucrative second mobile phone licence because shamed former communications minister Michael Lowry meddled in the selection process.

This was the overriding message of Mr Justice Michael Moriarty’s tribunal into the awarding of the licence to Esat Digifone in 1995. The report said Mr Lowry had used his influence over civil servants and Cabinet colleagues to help gloss over fundamental flaws in Mr O’Brien’s bid.

In the autumn of 1995, the Tipperary North TD steered the 10-man project group charged with analysing six rival bids for the licence.