The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has insisted that he "never received a bribe from anyone in my life" in the wake of renewed reports that the Flood tribunal is investigating allegations that a serving Cabinet member accepted an £80,000 bribe. Mark Hennessy, Political Reporter, reports
In a public statement forced by continuing controversy over the media reports, Mr Ahern said lies had been told about him before and he had proven his good reputation in court.
The latest statement by Mr Ahern came after a heated debate on RTÉ's Pat Kenny Show between the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, and Ireland on Sunday journalist Frank Connolly.
During the radio show, Mr Connolly defended an article he had written two years ago suggesting the Taoiseach had received a £50,000 bribe in Dublin from a Cork businessman, Mr Denis "Starry" O'Brien".
He told listeners the Taoiseach won his libel action against Mr O'Brien after the latter decided "not to contest the charge".
Described as "absolutely furious" about Mr Connolly's radio interview, Mr Ahern said last night: "I sued Denis "Starry" O'Brien so that my reputation would be vindicated...I won that case because the allegation that I had received a £50,000 bribe from Denis "Starry" O'Brien was baseless and totally untrue.
"I succeeded in my Circuit Court action for one reason and one reason only. That is that I was defamed and lies were told about me. It is wrong for Frank Connolly to say that the case "collapsed" because Denis "Starry" O'Brien "decided not to contest the charge".
He said a bank account purporting to show evidence of the payment had never existed, and no cheque or cash was given to him by Mr O'Brien.
He said Mr O'Brien was not even in Dublin on the day of the alleged handover, and the judge had said the allegation was "utterly, completely and absolutely false and untrue".
Mr Ahern was awarded the maximum damages of £30,000 at the Dublin Circuit Civil Court in July 2001 over the allegations.
In his statement the Taoiseach said: "I have never received a bribe from anyone in my life. I have proven my good reputation in court when it was challenged. I think the least I am entitled to is a clear and unequivocal acceptance that I won my case because lies were told about me."
Mr Ahern said he had "no difficulty with journalists engaged in fair comment and reporting true facts" but it was unacceptable to say he had not deserved to win that case.
Meanwhile, the Government has continued to refuse Fine Gael and Labour demands to question Mr Ahern next week in the Dáil when it meets to discuss the interim findings of the Flood tribunal.
Last night, the Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, said the Government intended to allow two days of statements on Flood.
"A structure debate is very important. During questions and answers, people can say things that could prejudice any future trial."