The following is the statement issued on behalf of Mr Dermot Desmond on Saturday:Further to a statement of 8th January 1998 regarding Mr Dermot Desmond's dealings with Mr Charles J. Haughey, questions have been asked about any dealings which Mr Desmond had or has with other members of Mr C.J. Haughey's family. We wish to set out these relationships as follows:
In 1987/88, Mr Desmond invested £17,500 in a foal partnership operated by Mrs Eimear Mulhern. This partnership interest has continued and is now held by Mrs Pat Desmond.
In 1990, Mr Desmond arranged loans in consultation with Mr Conor Haughey totalling £75,546 to refurbish the boat Celtic Mist, of which he is skipper and owner together with the other Haughey children. These loans have been settled. To date, Mr Desmond and related companies have also invested a total of £275,000 in Feltrim Mining plc (now Minmet Ltd), of which Mr Conor Haughey was a founding director. To date, Mr Desmond has sold shares in Feltrim to the value of £744,000 and retains shares with a current value of £112,000. The net realised and retained profits exceed £500,000.
In 1995, IIU Ltd (of which Mr Desmond is chairman), made a commercial advance of £100,000 to Celtic Helicopters to cover flying hours for executives. Mr Ciaran Haughey is a director and shareholder in Celtic Helicopters. To date, hours to the value of £56,150 have been used.
Over the years, Mr Desmond has contributed not more than £2,000 to Mr Sean Haughey TD in relation to funding his election expenses.
There are no other gifts or payments except for wedding and Christmas presents, which in aggregate do not exceed £15,000.
The foregoing transactions, and payments made by Mr Desmond to Mr C.J. Haughey since 1994 are matters that could fall within the terms of reference of the Moriarty Tribunal. Mr Desmond has already stated that he will fully co-operate with this tribunal.
No other payments have been made or arranged, directly or indirectly, to Mr Haughey and his family by Mr Desmond.