O'Brien back in box at Moriarty Tribunal
Millionaire businessman Denis O’Brien has returned to the witness box at the Moriarty Tribunal in Dublin.
The former chairman of ESAT is facing further questions about alleged payments to former Communications Minister Michael Lowry in connection with the awarding of Ireland’s second mobile phone licence in 1995. These alleged payments include a $50,000 donation to Fine Gael in December 1995 and an alleged deposit of £147,000 in 1996 to one of Mr Lowry’s bank accounts in the Isle of Man.
Speaking before hearings formally got underway today, tribunal chairman Justice Michael Moriarty made a brief statement to Mr O’Brien. He told the millionaire tax exile that the relationship between him and the tribunal had its low moments. He also made it clear that his final report on the ESAT mobile phone licence would be based on the evidence presented at the tribunal, regardless of media coverage.
Justice Moriarty also paid tribute to Mr O’Brien for his role in organising the Special Olympics earlier this year.
The tribunal later heard that Mr O’Brien went to extreme lengths during the bidding for the mobile phone licence to ensure that rival applicants did not uncover details of his bid.
The tribunal heard that, in summer 1995, Mr O’Brien leased a building in Dublin, blacked out the windows and hired 24-hour security to protect the details of the ESAT bid.
It also heard that, at the same time, a consortium headed by Motorola was the favourite to win the second mobile phone licence, which was eventually awarded to ESAT.
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