Corruption inquiries cost Lowry £1.5m

Former Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry has told the Moriarty Tribunal that his involvement in five state-sponsored corruption inquiries has cost him nearly £1.5m.

Mr Lowry said he incurred £1,436,000 in costs because of the Moriarty Tribunal, the McCracken Tribunal, the Bucannan Inquiry, a Revenue Commissioners inquiry and Mary Harney’s investigation into his company, Garuda.

He also said today that he has no qualms about doing business with anyone connected to Denis O’Brien because his conscience is clear regarding the awarding of Ireland’s second mobile phone licence to ESAT.

The company was owned by Mr O’Brien at the time.

The tribunal is currently trying to ascertain if Mr Lowry granted the licence to ESAT in return for money.