THE MAHON tribunal has said it is likely to issue its final report in the early months of 2010, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Publication is partly dependent on a High Court challenge taken by a number of witnesses, including Cork developer Owen O’Callaghan.
Established in 1997, the tribunal examined alleged planning irregularities and payments to politicians. It was initially chaired by Mr Justice Feargus Flood, who retired in 2002. Judge Alan Mahon then became chairman and was joined by Judge Mary Faherty and Judge Gerald Keys.
Public sittings at the tribunal finished in December 2008, 12 years after it began and having heard from 400 witnesses. The comptroller and auditor general has estimated that the tribunal will cost €194 million. He also said the Criminal Assets Bureau had raised €18.7 million on foot of investigations at the tribunal and Revenue had raised €32.5 million.
It had been widely expected the tribunal would issue its report this year; however, legal difficulties have contributed to its delay.
Judgment on a legal challenge, taken by Mr O’Callaghan and six other individuals and businesses, was reserved in June.
The applicants had wanted an order from the court requiring the Mahon tribunal to provide them with its draft findings relating to them so that they could respond to them in advance of the publication of the final report. The tribunal had refused to circulate draft findings to any witnesses.
Mr O’Callaghan had been questioned at the tribunal about allegations made against him by developer Tom Gilmartin in relation to land in Quarryvale, Dublin.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill said he hoped to deliver his judgment as soon as possible.
If he should rule for Mr O’Callaghan, it is likely the publication of the tribunal’s report will be considerably delayed and it could possibly lead to further public hearings.
Yesterday, a tribunal spokesman said that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the report would be ready for publication in the early months of 2010.
