The only cash contribution made by Mr Charles Haughey towards the medical expenses of the late Mr Brian Lenihan was £200 delivered to the Lenihan home in 1989, the Moriarty tribunal was told.
Ms Ann Lenihan, Mr Lenihan's widow, told the tribunal yesterday that on the morning she was travelling with her husband to the US, where he was to undergo a liver transplant operation, the Taoiseach, Mr Haughey, had £200 in cash delivered to her home in Castleknock, Co Dublin.
The money was in an envelope and was delivered by Mr Haughey's official driver.
Ms Lenihan said it was the only cash she or her late husband received from Mr Haughey in relation to the costs of his medical care.
The tribunal has heard that during a five-week period in May and June 1989, some £180,000 was lodged to the Fianna Fail party leader's account, which was administered by Mr Haughey's private secretary, Ms Eileen Foy.
The money was lodged during a drive to raise funds for Mr Lenihan's medical expenses. Only £82,000 is known to have been withdrawn for Mr Lenihan's benefit.
Earlier this month Ms Foy told the tribunal that she believed Mr Lenihan was given cash from the fund organised by Mr Haughey, although when questioned on this she could not say why she believed this to be the case.
At yesterday's hearing counsel for the tribunal, Mr John Coughlan SC, took Ms Lenihan through her evidence.
Mr Coughlan said that on the morning in question Mr Haughey's driver "handed you an envelope which he indicated to you was from Mr Haughey."
Ms Lenihan said "Yes".
Mr Coughlan said Ms Lenihan did not open it immediately, but when she did she "found that it contained the sum of approximately £200."
Mr Coughlan continued: "And I think at the time, bearing in mind the many strains that you were under, you considered this a generous gesture on the part of the then Taoiseach, Mr Haughey?"
Ms Lenihan said she did.
Mr Coughlan continued: "You have also informed the tribunal that you were satisfied that your late husband did not receive any cash payments from Mr Haughey or any source on his behalf at the time, prior or subsequent to your husband coming back from the Mayo Clinic."
He added: "You were with your late husband constantly during the period and you would have known if any such payments had been received."
Ms Lenihan agreed.
"Can we take it if there was any other sort of cash around the place you would have known about it?"
"Yes, in as much as I could say," replied Ms Lenihan.
