The Flood tribunal had no adequate explanation for the role played by auctioneer Mr John Finnegan in the sale of lands at Monkstown, Co Dublin in 1976 to a company controlled by developers Mr Tom Brennan and Mr Joseph McGowan, the High Court was told today.
Mr Michael Collins SC, for the tribunal, was reviewing evidence given to the tribunal in order to show why a tribunal lawyer had asked a question of Mr Brennan relating to Mr Finnegan's part in that transaction.
Mr Finnegan of Seapoint House, Seapoint Avenue, Monkstown, is asking the court to declare that the tribunal would exceed its powers if it inquired into matters other than "the authorisation of the payment to Mr Raphael Burke and Canio Ltd".
He is asking the court to prohibit any examination of his business affairs or accounts "not the subject of payments to Mr Raphael Burke" or his companies except for the purpose of segregating such payments as outside the scope of the tribunal.
Lawyers for Mr Finnegan claim "allegations" were made by the tribunal chairman and counsel during questioning of Mr Brennan to get Mr Brennan to say MrFinnegan acted for both sides in the Monkstown land sale and took money from both sides.
The hearing concluded today and Mr Justice Kearns said he would try to give judgment before the end of next week.