Taoiseach faces further questions on Larkin payment

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is today reacting angrily to suggestions of wrongdoing in relation to a cash payment of stg£30,000 made to his then partner Celia Larkin in 1994.

The money was used to fund work on a house in Drumcondra which Bertie Ahern was renting at the time and which was owned by the businessman Michael Wall.

Ahern insists the transaction to Celia Larkin was “entirely appropriate”.

“Any money that Ms Larkin received was towards, it was a stamp duty issue, and it was towards the refurbishment of the house,” he said.

“It had nothing whatever to do with the allegation that I've to answer.”