February dates set for Ahern at tribunal

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been scheduled to appear before the Mahon tribunal for two days next month.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been scheduled to appear before the Mahon tribunal for two days next month.

According to the tribunal's website, Mr Ahern will appear on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of February, when his finances will come under further scrutiny from tribunal counsel Des O'Neill SC.

The tribunal is likely to continue its examination of transactions in Mr Ahern's accounts. It is expected it will deal chiefly with non-foreign currency transactions, having already examined foreign currency transactions during the Taoiseach's first appearance at the tribunal in September 2007.

The two "goodwill loans" given to Mr Ahern by friends in December 1993 and October 1994, which totalled £39,000, may come under further scrutiny.

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And a £5,000 lodgment made by Mr Ahern to an Irish Permanent Building Society in January 1994 is also likely to be examined further.

The lodgement was raised near the close of evidence last December, when Mr Ahern took the stand for two days just before Christmas. It was also linked to Mr Ahern's dealings with the Revenue Commissioners.

The tribunal may also examine the arrangements surrounding the purchasing of Mr Ahern's home in Drumcondra, either in February or at a later stage.

Witnesses due to appear before the tribunal ahead of Mr Ahern include more than 20 councillors whom lobbyist Frank Dunlop has alleged he paid for their support of the Quarryvale project.

Broadcaster and journalist Eamon Dunphy is listed to appear at the tribunal on Friday, February 15th.

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland is a crime writer and former Irish Times journalist