Ian Mallon: PAC to unveil star witness in FAI 'toxic payment' probe

Within days of the 'toxic payment' claim emerging within Abbotstown, the FAI doubled down on its insistence that the issue was innocent, with then-President Gerry McAnaney describing the episode as a 'technical financial interpretation'.

In November, as Sport Ireland suspended funding for the FAI in the wake of the scandal, a story emerged that the payment was made by a 'lone wolf' accountant. Pic: Inpho

The former Finance Director of the Football Association of Ireland is set to appear before a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing later this month into Jonathan Hill’s bonus pay.

Alex O’Connell is set to give testimony that despite a whispering campaign within the association, he was not the source of what was labelled a “toxic payment”.