AIB official says he picked up cash at Ahern's office

Mahon tribunal:An assistant manager with AIB collected large amounts of cash from the then minister for finance Bertie Ahern in Mr Ahern's constituency office in Drumcondra, the tribunal heard.

A former assistant manager with AIB O'Connell Street, Philip Murphy, said he could recall collecting £30,000 cash from Mr Ahern in St Luke's in April 1994.

He brought the money back to the branch, and lodged it to Mr Ahern's account.

He said he went to Mr Ahern's constituency office after being asked to do so by Mr Ahern.

Mr Murphy also told tribunal counsel Henry Murphy SC that he could recall collecting £20,000 in cash from Mr Ahern in St Luke's in August 1994.

"In August 1994 you went out to St Luke's and Mr Ahern took it from his safe . . . £20,000, and handed it to you," Mr Murphy said.

The witness agreed. He said he brought the money back to the branch and lodged it to Mr Ahern's account.

Mr Murphy said he met Mr Ahern in 1986 when Mr Ahern was lord mayor of Dublin. Mr Ahern asked if Mr Murphy would help a staff member with banking matters, and Mr Ahern's former partner, Celia Larkin, soon afterwards became a client.

In December 1993, he was contacted by Mr Ahern, who wanted to negotiate a loan. From then on Mr Ahern was a customer of the branch and Mr Murphy dealt with his affairs.

He could not recall any foreign exchange transactions, although he did have a "vague memory" of a transaction involving sterling and Irish pounds.