Haughey denies getting £20,000 from Dunne

As the final evidence, given in private by Mr Charles Haughey, was read into the official record today the Moriarty tribunal …

As the final evidence, given in private by Mr Charles Haughey, was read into the official record today the Moriarty tribunal again heard that the former Taoiseach denied he received a cheque for £20,000 from Mr Ben Dunne in 1993.

The money, which Mr Dunne said he gave to Mr Haughey at his Abbeville home, was subsequently lodged into Mr Haughey’s bank account in Malahide, Co Dublin, the tribunal claims.

The tribunal today heard the final day of evidence given in private by Mr Charles Haughey (above)

Shown a cheque for £20,000 with his and his wife's names written on the back Mr Haughey denied it was his signature and highlighted that his surname had been spelt without an "e".

Mr Haughey disagreed with counsel for tribunal Mr John Coughlan SC something "sinister" had occurred but said: "whoever wrote it didn't spell my name right".

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Mr Haughey was also questioned about a 1998 memorandum from his financial advisers to the Revenue Commissioners concerning the lodgement of more than £2 million into 11 offshore accounts on behalf of Mr Haughey between 1992 and 1997.

Mr Haughey denied knowledge of details of these accounts and advised Mr Coughlan to question his financial adviser Mr Des Peelo on the matter.

Mr Coughlan put it to Mr Haughey he was taking no responsibility for his personal financial affairs.

But Mr Haughey complained that he was being subjected to an inquisition and insisted that according to biographies of English politicians he had read over the years it was common practice to leave one's financial affairs to someone else.

He said while he was in government Mr Des Traynor had taken responsibility for his finances leaving him "completely free to do what I was committed to do".

Also today Mr Haughey's former secretary Ms Eileen Foy was recalled to the stand. She said that prior to Christmas 2000 she had visited Mr Haughey at his home for a drink with him, his wife and daughter.

She said she discussed the late Brian Lenihan's fund with Mr Haughey and said they thought the money may have been given to him in cash. But she said this was "total speculation" on their part.

Mr Haughey has previously denied diverting these funds into his account.

The tribunal continues this afternoon.