Smurfit contradicts Haughey's evidence

The boss of the Smurfit empire has directly contradicted evidence given to the Moriarty Tribunal by former Taoiseach Charles Haughey.

Michael Smurfit took the stand unexpectedly this afternoon.

He told the tribunal that a Stg£60, 000 donation that he made to Fianna Fail was never intended for the party leader.

Michael Smurfit said that he would never make a personal donation to Mr Haughey.

The money was routed from a Smurfit family trust in Monaco to an Ansbacher account in London.

Michael Smurfit denies that the money's passage was designed to hide a personal contribution to Charles Haughey and denied he had anything to do with the way it was routed.

Gerry Healy for the tribunal suggested that the late Des Traynor, accountant for Charles Haughey, was responsible for how the money was handled.

Mr Smurfit also contradicted the former Taoiseach's evidence in that Mr Haughey had said he had not approached Mr Smurfit personally for a donation.