Publican rejected Taoiseach's offers to repay loan

One of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s close friends who helped put up a £39,000 (€49,500) loan for him in the early 1990s revealed today he refused to take the money back four times.

Dublin publican Charlie Chawke said he gave £2,500 (€3,172) as part of two payments Mr Ahern received from a dozen donors to cover the cost of legal bills following his marriage break-up.