`Objection' to mention of Haughey

I never asked for a political donation in my life, Mr Ray Burke told the tribunal yesterday.

Explaining the fundraising methods adopted by Fianna Fail, he said people were designated to approach local shops and businesses. There were also fundraising events in addition to a national collection.

He himself had been given political donations because of his standing as a senior party member. He noted the donation from Mr Gogarty as it amounted to £30,000, a similar figure to that which was given to him by another company, Rennicks Ltd, "a few days earlier".

Questioned by Mr John Gallagher SC, for the tribunal, as to why someone he had never met would call to his home to make him a large donation in cash and a cheque made out to cash, Mr Burke said there was approval in business circles of the then government and as a member of it he would have been identified as a recipient for donations.

Mr Gallagher said JMSE, the Murphy group company which allegedly made the donation, was not in Mr Burke's constituency and again questioned why Mr Burke had been selected when Mr Charles Haughey, for example, was another senior Fianna Fail figure in another neighbouring constituency.

Mr Burke said he objected to the "gratuitous use" of Mr Haughey's name. Political donations were a fact of life and the way political parties were funded, for better or worse.