Controversial developer John Byrne passes away

One of Ireland’s most successful property developers and the man who told the Moriarty Tribunal he never gave the former taoiseach, Charles Haughey “a penny in his life, or a pound”, has passed away.

John Byrne, who was in his early 90s, died at his home in Dublin.

The Kerry native was involved in some of the country’s biggest deals during more than 70 years in the business, even constructing several prominent office blocks. In recent years, he was earning more than €5.7m from the Government through leasing the properties.