O'Brien admitted Lowry payment - witness

The Moriarty Tribunal has today heard new evidence concerning the alleged payments that were made by Esat, Denis O'Brien's former company, to Fine Gael and Michael Lowry, the former Minister for Communications.

A new witness was introduced to the Tribunal at Dublin Castle today and he spent the afternoon giving evidence relating to the alleged donations.

Barry Moloney, a former Chief Executive of Esat, told the Tribunal that when he asked Mr O'Brien about two payments of £100,000 each, Mr O'Brien told him that he had had to make payments to two people, one of whom was Michael Lowry.

However, Mr Moloney said that the following year O'Brien denied any knowledge of the payments and refused to admit them.

Moloney also said he pleaded with O'Brien to stop the flotation of the company on the US stock market while it was under investigation, but his pleas were ignored.

In a statement released today Mr Lowry maintained he received no such payments from Esat or Mr O'Brien.