Taoiseach censured over comments in trial

The second day of the Mahon Tribunal has seen fierce criticism fired the way of Bertie Ahern who is being questioned over his personal finances, and his defending counsel.

The chairman of the hearing, Judge Alan Mahon said suggestions by Mr Ahern that the trial was biased and had an agenda were untrue, and asked the counsel for the Taoiseach to withdraw his remarks to that effect.

Comments by Mr Ahern's counsel suggesting that the three judges in the trial were off on an illegal, corrupt and criminal frolic of their own was offensive and should be withdrawn.

Exchanges between Mr Mahon and Senior Counsel Conor Maguire lasted for more than half an hour while members of the public clapped and cheered in support of the tribunal during the exchange.

Earlier, the Taoiseach when asked, said he believed the public believes his testimony at the Mahon Tribunal, including claims that he does not know where €10,000 that appeared in his account came from. As he arrived at the tribunal this morning, when Mr Ahern was asked if he thought the public believed him, he said: "Yes, totally."

However, Fine Gael have seized on another revelation that came to light in yesterdays hearing, which heard Mr Ahern claim a €5,000 deposit into his account was a "political donation for my personal use from an unnamed businessman now dead".

The €5,000 was undeclared for 10 years leading to claims by the party that Mr Ahern is a "Tax dodger".

However, the Taoiseach had not informed Revenue about the monies, and his potential liability for gift tax, until a dozen years later in 2006.

Fine Gael's tribunal spokesman Senator Eugene Regan said the "astonishing" revelations underlined the fact Mr Ahern is unfit for office.

(DW)