Mr Oliver Barry has been questioned on conflicting evidence as to how much he paid RTE staff to thank them for getting Century Radio on air. Mr Barry had previously claimed to have handed over £5,000 in cash.
Counsel for the Flood tribunal, Mr Patrick Hanratty, told Century's co-founder that RTE engineer Mr Peter Brannigan had said he had received only £1,600 or £1,700. "His evidence was that you wished to give a token of your gratitude to the staff by making a bonus payment."
Mr Brannigan had informed Mr Barry this could present tax complications and as a result it was decided "you would provide some entertainment for the staff in due course", said Mr Hanratty.
The money had been handed over in Mother Redcap's pub after drinks, according to Mr Brannigan.
That was not his recollection, replied Mr Barry. The sum he gave was £5,000: "I did not give two amounts, but there were two gentlemen involved." The second man, he identified as Mr John McGrath, RTE's head of network. "Mr McGrath told the tribunal he did not receive any money from you at all," said Mr Hanratty.
"That's not my recollection. I certainly gave £5,000 to RTE." He had definitely withdrawn that amount from the bank, and he thought the meeting was in the Olde Dublin restaurant, not Mother Redcap's.
Mr Barry could not remember which of the men he gave the envelope to. He was certain, however, that there was "no third person" present.
Mr Hanratty said Mr Brannigan had been suspended from his employment while the matter had been investigated by RTE. "I was sorry to hear that," said Mr Barry.
He had been subsequently reinstated, said Mr Hanratty.