O'Brien launches blistering attack on Moriarty Tribunal

Billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien has launched a blistering attack on the Moriarty Tribunal at Dublin Castle today.

The tribunal is currently investigating whether former Communications Minister Michael Lowry was involved in Mr O'Brien's purchase of Doncaster Rovers Football Club in 1998.

The businessman, however, claimed today that the investigation was "unjustified" and "unconstitutional".

He said he had lodged a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights against the tribunal's failure to obtain certain evidence.

Mr O'Brien said the entire tribunal system was grossly unfair and invasive and was relying on hearsay, rumour and anonymous letters.

He attacked the amount of time and money being spent on the Moriarty inquiry and said he himself had spent upwards of €9m on legal fees, which he wanted reimbursed.

He said he never paid Mr Lowry any money for help getting a mobile licence for ESAT Digifone and Mr Lowry had no involvement in the purchase of the Doncaster FC.

The businessman claimed the tribunal had shown "a clear bias" against him and had failed to call on the evidence of seven people who would support his case.

He also attacked the Irish Times newspaper, which he claimed had been used by a third party to damage his reputation.