Ahern Faces Tough Day In Tribunal

The former Taoiseach has faced a tough day of questioning in the Mahon Tribunal, which even saw a member of the public in the gallery removed by Gardaí.

Bertie Ahern latest round of questioning at the Tribunal heard questions on dealings with Fianna Fail TD Liam Lawler's son, Nial, as well as an alleged £30,000 cash payment into his bank account.

However, the most dramatic moment of the day came as a member of the public approached the judge and lawyers while launching into a personal attack on Mr Ahern.

The man is said to have unfurled a sheet of paper containing allegations of a personal nature against Mr Ahern, which the man proceeded to read out loudly in court, and contained the word "conman".

The Tribunal was temporarily halted while the man was escorted from the building by gardaí.

Upon resumption of the hearing, Mr Ahern was questioned on whether he had met Nial Lawlor, who was working for a US Investment banker firm in California.

The firm was seeking to become involved in the financing of a new sports stadium in Ireland.

Mr Ahern denied any discussions on the stadium with Mr Lawlor, despite evidence they had met at a private party in San Diego, with Bertie only conceding they may have exchanged "pleasantries".

The Tribunal is also investigating allegations that while in his earlier capacity as Finance Minister, Bertie had accepted a £30,000 bribe from developer Owen Callaghan to exempt the now Liffey Valley centre from tax designation.

The allegation originates from another developer, Tom Gilmartin, who has said Mr O'Callaghan told him he paid Mr Ahern £30,000 in return for the exemption.

Both Mr O'Callaghan and Mr Ahern deny the payment.

However, on Tuesday Mr Ahern admitted making a cash lodgement of £30,000 in 1994, which the prosecution argued was one month after a meeting with O'Callaghan.

Bertie Ahern denied knowledge of any such meeting taking place and told the court the £30,000 was from a collection of savings from his home safe.

(DW)