Mahon defends investigation into Taoiseach's finances

The chairman of the Mahon Tribunal has hit back following yesterday's attack on the inquiry by a barrister representing the Taoiseach.

Bertie Ahern's senior counsel accused the tribunal of bias against his client and claimed it was giving preferential treatment to property developer Tom Gilmartin, whose evidence he described as "outlandish".

However, Judge Alan Mahon defended his inquiry into Mr Ahern's financial affairs today, saying other witnesses had been subject to similar scrutiny.

He described yesterday's development as an "unprecedented attack" by the Taoiseach's representatives and insisted that he was doing all he could to identify the source of leaks to the media.

Meanwhile, Mr Gilmartin is due to take the stand later today to be questioned about the development of the Liffey Valley shopping centre in west Dublin in the 1990s.

He claims Mr Ahern accepted an IR£80,000 bribe from rival developer Owen O'Callaghan in return for advancing the project. Mr Ahern strongly denies the allegation.