Mr Justice Flood has issued a stern warning to journalists that they could be fined or imprisoned for publishing confidential documents under investigation by the tribunal.
He was referring to an article in a Sunday newspaper which named politicians whose bank accounts are being investigated by the tribunal.
Mr Justice Flood said he could order information on bank accounts as part of his investigations but this did not mean in any way that because a person’s accounts were being investigated they were guilty of any wrongdoing.
He said it had come to his attention that the contents of a internal bank memorandum had come into the possession of a newspaper. He had sought an injunction against the paper publishing this information, and they had agreed not to do so. But, Mr Justice Flood said the information subsequently appeared in two separate journals.
The tribunal chairman said the publication of such material could obstruct or hinder the work of the tribunal, and would constitute a criminal offence punishable by a fine of £10,000 or two years in jail. He made it clear that he would use all options available to him to prevent that.
Mr Justice Flood said he had contacted the bank to investigate the matter and would call a senior official to give evidence.
Meanwhile the issue of Liam Lawlor’s mobile phones will be heard at the Flood Tribunal tomorrow afternoon.
Mr Lawlor’s legal team requested had more time to consider the issue, and a request by his solicitor Mr Brian Delahunt for an adjournment was granted.
The Dublin West TD's three mobile phones were handed over to the tribunal on Monday by the governor of Mountjoy, Mr John Lonergan, who was summonsed to appear at a special sitting of the tribunal.
This afternoon the tribunal was told by Century Radio co-founder Mr James Stafford that he could not explain why a payment of £40,000 to Mr Oliver Barry did not appear in the company's accounts.
Mr Stafford was questioned about the money, which was referred to as "expenses incurred" during negotiations with Capital Radio, but told the tribunal he only knew of £40,000 paid to Mr Barry for services rendered.
The tribunal resumes tomorrow morning.