Tribunal hears of discrepancy in Taoiseach's explanations

The Mahon Tribunal has said a major discrepancy exists in relation to the Taoiseach's evidence about lodgements made to his bank accounts in the 1990s.

Bertie Ahern's finances are among the main issues under investigation in the latest phase of the tribunal, which got underway at Dublin Castle this morning.

The long-awaited Quarryvale Two module is examining the development of the Liffey Valley shopping centre in west Dublin in the 1990s.

Property developer Tom Gilmartin claims Bertie Ahern received €80,000 from businessman Owen O'Callaghan to pave the way for the project.

However, both Mr Ahern and Mr O'Callaghan have vehemently denied the accusation.

In the opening statement of the latest module today, the tribunal said it would be examining five substantial lodgements to bank accounts in the name of Mr Ahern and his former partner between 1993 and 1995.

The lodgements total more than IR£116,000.

Tribunal lawyers say there are flaws in the Taoiseach's explanation of one the lodgements - an IR#28,000 sum paid into the account of his ex-partner Celia Larkin in December 1994.

Mr Ahern says this was the Stg£30,000 in cash that he received from businessman Michael Wall, from whom he was renting a house in Drumcondra.

He says the money was for refurbishment costs and stamp duty on the house.

However, the tribunal says documentation from the bank shows that no such sterling transaction was made on that day.

However, bank records show evidence of transactions in other currencies on the same day amounting to the equivalent of US$45,000.

Meanwhile, tribunal chairman Alan Mahon used the resumption of public hearings today to condemn the leaking of confidential information from the inquiry about Mr Ahern's finances.

He said he was carrying out an investigation to try to identify the source of the leaks.