The name of one of the "personal friends" who were identified by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, as having contributed to a £22,500 "dig-out" for him in December 1993, has been dropped from the schedule of witnesses due to give evidence to the Mahon tribunal.
On Monday the tribunal's website listed Michael Collins as being scheduled to give evidence this Friday, along with three others named by Mr Ahern as contributors to the collection: Charlie Chawke, Dave McKenna, and Jim Nugent.
A number of alterations were made to the schedule on Tuesday and Mr Collins's name was removed. Mr Chawke, Mr Nugent and Mr McKenna are still due to give evidence on Friday.
It is understood Mr Collins may have sought a rescheduling of his appearance.
The tribunal website lists all the forthcoming witnesses, whether they have been given a date for their appearance or not. Mr Collins's name was not on the list in either category yesterday.
Mr Collins, who it is understood may now live abroad, could not be contacted yesterday. There was no comment from the tribunal.
The widow of another of the persons named by Mr Ahern as having contributed to the dig-out is due to appear before the tribunal this morning.
Maureen Gunne is the widow of the late Fintan Gunne.
The last of the six people named by Mr Ahern as having made a £2,500 cash contribution to the dig-out, Paddy Reilly, is also dead.
His widow, Mary Gaffney, is scheduled to give evidence next week.
The persons named by Mr Ahern as having contributed to a second "dig-out" in early 1994, at which £16,500 was raised, are due to give evidence next week.
Mr Ahern has said the contributors on that occasion were: Joe Burke, Dermot Carew, Barry English and a second Paddy Reilly, whom Mr Ahern called "Paddy the plasterer".
