JUDGE GERALD Keys said the trustees of St Luke’s, Bertie Ahern’s constituency office, did nothing to protect the money it loaned to Celia Larkin, former partner of Mr Ahern.
The tribunal heard that Ms Larkin was lent £30,000 from the B/T account in 1993 to help purchase the home of her three elderly aunts in Drumcondra, who were about to be evicted.
Joe Burke, a St Luke’s trustee and chairman of the Dublin Port Company, said he discussed the matter with Tim Collins and the late Paddy Reilly, also trustees, and they decided to lend the money to Ms Larkin.
He understood at the time that the late Gerry Brennan, solicitor to the trust and to Mr Ahern, had drawn up some legal document in relation to the loan. However, he learned subsequently that no such document existed.
Judge Keys said the loan given to Ms Larkin was contrary to the general principles of the trust, there was no documentation recording the terms of the loan, and there was no legal documentation.
“We are entirely relying on your account and whatever other trustees might say about this matter,” Judge Keys said.
“Mr Burke, this wasn’t your money . . . and nothing was done, as I understand it, by any of the trustees . . . to follow up to ensure that money was protected. And that’s how you performed your duties as a trustee.”
“Absolutely,” Mr Burke replied.
Tribunal counsel Des O’Neill SC asked Mr Burke if he discussed giving the loan to Ms Larkin with Mr Ahern.
Mr Burke said he did not. “What was the reason to discuss it?” he asked.
“Because you were going to be doing a very great favour at a minimum to her, she being a friend of his . . . you could claim due credit,” Mr O’Neill replied.
“Whatever I’ve done for anybody in my life time, I have never gone looking for glory and for credit for it,” Mr Burke said.
