Reilly denies wanting whip-around money back

One of the men who says he contributed to a whip-around for Bertie Ahern in 1994 has told the Mahon Tribunal that he gave the money as a gift, not a loan, and did not want it back.

Paddy Reilly - known as "Paddy the Plasterer" - says he gave £3,500 to the then Minister for Finance, whom he says would only take it as a loan.

He says the money was collected to help Mr Ahern purchase a house, but whether he used it for that purpose or not was up to him.

Mr Reilly says it was a matter of total indifference to him whether the money was paid back.

During some heated exchanges, counsel for the tribunal put it to Mr Reilly that he was making things up, to which he replied: "Do not attempt to accuse me of lying."

Another contributor to the whip-around, Joe Burke, is due to begin his evidence this afternoon.