Wall claims he never discussed rent with Ahern

Manchester businessman Michael Wall has told the Mahon tribunal that there was no discussion of rent with Bertie Ahern before he bought a house, which the former Taoiseach rented from him in the 1990s, in Drumcondra, Dublin.

Mr Wall has told the tribunal that he discussed his intention to buy a house in Dublin with Bertie Ahern a number of months before the purchase took place.

He said Mr Ahern mentioned to him that he might like to rent this house and eventually buy it.

Mr Wall said Bertie Ahern and his then partner Celia Larkin were to purchase the house on his behalf, but that there was never any discussion of what price would be paid.

He has also admitted to only looking at the house from the outside before he bought it.