Dr Michael Smurfit yesterday told the tribunal that after an approach by Mr Charles Haughey for a payment in 1989, he understood it was a political donation and not for the former Taoiseach's personal finances. Mr Haughey, in his evidence, has said to his best recollection he never approached Dr Smurfit about a payment. If Mr Des Traynor dealt with Dr Smurfit then Mr Haughey said he was fairly sure that the donation would not have been political.
Mr Jerry Healy SC, for the tribunal, said Dr Smurfit had previously testified that an approach was made to him by Mr Haughey in 1989 for a contribution. Arrangements were made through Mr Traynor to pay the money. Dr Smurfit issued instructions through the late Mr David Austin.
Mr Healy said: "We now know . . . that the instructions involved the payment of the sterling equivalent of £60,000 Irish to an Ansbacher account in London . . . They came from Mr Traynor in any case."
Dr Smurfit said he presumed they did as Mr Traynor would have dealt with Mr Austin. Mr Healy said the payment Dr Smurfit made did not go to Fianna Fail. Mr Mark Kavanagh's money was used to purchase two bank drafts which were sent to the party under the guise of a contribution. Mr Healy said it would seem to follow from Mr Haughey's evidence that if Mr Traynor was involved in collecting or seeking money it must have been for Mr Haughey's finances. He asked if that gave Dr Smurfit a different view of his own evidence.
Dr Smurfit replied: "Not at all." He was not involved in the routeing.
Mr Healy asked: "Would you agree that it is possible that the clouding of the route was designed to keep confidential a personal payment to Mr Haughey?"
"Absolutely incorrect," said Dr Smurfit. Asked about Mr Haughey's reference to him about Mr Traynor, Dr Smurfit said: "He just said to me, as far as I can remember, that Mr Traynor would handle the matter for me on behalf of Fianna Fail." Mr Healy asked: "Can you now see in retrospect and in the light of what Mr Haughey has said that whatever conversation you had with Mr Haughey it seems that Mr Traynor's involvement was with a view to obtaining money for Mr Haughey personally and not for the Fianna Fail party?"
Dr Smurfit replied: "Well, that wasn't my understanding." Mr Healy said Mr Haughey had said that to the best of his recollection he had no contact with Dr Smurfit.
Dr Smurfit replied: "That's not correct."