Mr Denis O'Brien apologised to former Esat Digifone CEO Mr Barry Maloney in 1997 for comments about payments of £100,000 in 1996, the Moriarty tribunal heard today.
It was the first time, Mr Maloney told the tribunal this morning, that Mr O'Brien described his comments as bravado. The apology was made during an informal shareholders' meeting on October 20th 1997.
Mr Maloney told the tribunal the statements made to him by Mr O'Brien in either October or November 1996 and two further comments in August 1997 were considered by him to be deadly serious.
Mr Maloney told the tribunal yesterday the Mr O'Brien indicated he made two payments of £100,000 each in October or November 1996, one which was to the then Minister for Communications Mr Michael Lowry.
Mr Maloney said Mr O'Brien told him of the alleged payments in Mr O'Brien's office in the Malt House Dublin. Mr O'Brien earlier denied mentioning Mr Lowry by name and said the conversation took place on a jogging trip in the Wicklow mountains.
During the informal shareholders' meeting, Mr Maloney said, Mr O'Brien took the opportunity to apologise for the comments as they put Mr Maloney in a very difficult position.
According to Mr Maloney's notes Mr O'Brien said that it was "a bit of bravado" on his [Mr O'Brien] part while out on a jogging run in Roundwood, Co Wicklow.