Moriarty Tribunal: Martin says Government respects independence of DPP

Micheál Martin has pushed back on questions about the tribunal, saying the Government respects the independence of the DPP

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking to the media at the Irish Memorial, in Philadelphia. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Taoiseach has insisted the Government was not relieved to see no charges brought against Independent TD Michael Lowry over the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.

Micheál Martin has pushed back on questions about the tribunal, saying the Government respects the independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“It's not a question of anyone in Government being relieved. The bottom line of justice must be seen to be done, and the criminal justice system is independent, and all governments must observe that,” Mr Martin said.

“The DPP takes a decision, and we respect the independence of the DPP,” he said.

It was confirmed last Tuesday that the DPP would not be bringing charges against Mr Lowry over the findings of the tribunal, with the Independent TD excoriating the process.

Mr Lowry said the findings, issued in 2011, had not been based on “hard facts or admissible evidence, but on conjecture, manipulation, and speculation”.

The tribunal was established in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and Mr Lowry, an Independent TD for Tipperary North and former cabinet minister.

The tribunal found that Mr Lowry had an “insidious and pervasive” influence into the awarding of the State’s second mobile phone licence to Esat Digiphone, a company owned by Denis O’Brien.

The report, published in 2011, also found it was “beyond doubt” that Mr Lowry provided information to Mr O’Brien, which assisted him in obtaining the licence.

Mr Lowry has always denied any wrongdoing.

In his statement on Tuesday evening, Mr Lowry claimed the report findings had always been “flawed”.

“Its findings have allowed me to be subjected to repeated insults, smears and false allegations, with no legal remedy available to me. 

"Even though its findings are legally sterile, as the Supreme Court have pronounced, it has deprived me of any ability to defend myself from repeated character assassination and attacks on my reputation.”