Taoiseach admits accepting 'loans' of almost €50,000

In an emotional interview on RTÉ's Six One news this evening the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described how a number of close friends and associates loaned him almost €50,000 in two separate payments in 1993 and 1994.

Mr Ahern insists that he accepted the money in the understanding that it would be a loan which he would pay back with interest.

He admits that nothing has been paid back as yet, claiming that the colleagues that loaned the money refused a number of offers he had made to pay it back.

The money, he said went towards legal costs associated with his separation from his ex-wife and towards the £20,000 he agreed to contribute to his children's education.

Donors included businessmen Charlie Chawke, Mick Collins and Des Richardson.