Flynn rejects Mahon findings
Former Fianna Fáil minister Padraig Flynn has rejected the findings of the Mahon tribunal which branded him corrupt.
"During my lifetime of involvement in politics I have never sought nor have I ever received a corrupt payment," Mr Flynn said in a brief statement today.
"I absolutely reject any such finding of this tribunal in that regard."
Mr Flynn, who is facing expulsion from Fianna Fáil, said he would not be making any further comment.
In the final Mahon tribunal report published yesterday, the former European commissioner from Mayo was judged to have sought money from the developer Tom Gilmartin for the benefit of Fianna Fáil.
The tribunal ruled: “Mr Flynn, having wrongfully and corruptly sought a substantial donation from Mr Gilmartin for the Fianna Fail party, and having been paid IR£50,000 by Mr Gilmartin for that purpose, proceeded to utilise the money for his personal benefit.”
Part of the IR£50,000 was used to buy a farm in Cloonanass, Co Mayo, in the name of Mr Flynn‘s wife Dorothy, the report said.
A 1999 appearance by Mr Flynn on the Late Late Show during which he said “I never asked or took money from anybody to do favours for anybody in my life" has gained in notoriety.
“I never took money from anybody to do a political favour as far as planning is concerned," Mr Flynn told Gay Byrne.
The infamous interview is believed to have prompted Mr Gilmartin to give evidence before the Mahon tribunal.
Mr Flynn was elected to the Dáil in 1977 and over the next 16 years held several ministerial positions. He served as European Commissioner from 1993 until 1999.
A motion to expel him from Fianna Fáil will go before the party's National Executive on Friday.
