Lowry expected to appear at Moriarty Tribunal

Former Fine Gael TD Michael Lowry is expected to appear before the Moriarty Tribunal later today to answer questions about his financial links with multi-millionaire businessman Denis O’Brien.

The tribunal has already heard how Mr O’Brien told a colleague that he had put aside two £100,000 payments for Mr Lowry after ESAT was awarded Ireland’s second mobile phone licence.

Mr Lowry was Minister for Communications and in charge of the licence application procedure at the time.

The tribunal has also heard of a property in Spain that appears to have been bought for Mr Lowry with Mr O’Brien’s money.

The transaction was carried out through Aidan Phelan, who acted as Mr O’Brien’s accountant and financial advisor.

The tribunal, which is also investigating other payments to Mr Lowry over the years, is expected to ask the former minister to account for money moving through his bank accounts throughout the 1990s.

Denis O’Brien has already denied making any payments to Mr Lowry.