£26,000 given to Ellis by Haughey in 1989, 1990

The Moriarty Tribunal has been told that Charles Haughey made two payments totalling £26,000 to Sligo-Leitrim Fianna Fail TD John Ellis in 1989 and 1990.

It heard that Deputy Ellis found himself in financial difficulty due to failed business transactions and that he approached Mr Haughey warning that if he went bankrupt he would lose his seat, resulting in a radical upset in the make-up of the Dail.

Two payments were made to Mr Ellis, one for £12,400 in December 1989 and the other for £13,600 in March 1990.

The money came from the Fianna Fail party leader's account, some of which was fed by a grant from the Exchequer.

The tribunal is continuing to read Mr Haughey's evidence into the record.