Crowley denies knowing of `price list'

The chairman of Century Radio, Mr Laurence Crowley, has denied he was told of allegations that two senior Fianna Fail figures were looking for substantial payments in return for awarding broadcasting licences.

His evidence is a blow to Century's co-founder, Mr James Stafford, who has alleged that the then minister for communications, Mr Ray Burke, and the government press secretary, Mr P.J. Mara, were operating a "price list" for licences in the late 1980s.

All other affected parties have now rejected Mr Stafford's allegation, which he says he heard from his business colleague, Mr Oliver Barry. Yesterday Mr Crowley said he had no recollection of hearing such an allegation from Mr Stafford. If he had heard a suggestion that this kind of dealing was going on, he would never have become chairman.

Mr Stafford has also alleged that Mr Mara approached him on several occasions, saying that Century owed him (Mara) money. But Mr Crowley said yesterday he had no recollection of hearing this. He also denied knowing about a meeting held in the office of financier Mr Dermot Desmond in 1990, at which Mr Mara's possible involvement with Century was discussed.

Mr Crowley said the first he heard of Mr Barry's £35,000 payment to Mr Burke in May 1989 was late that summer. He thought it was a political donation. He understood the money had been refunded to Century, but it appeared it had not. Had he known about the payment then he would not have gone along with it.

Asked if he thought Century was "highly politicised" - as alleged by the secretary of the IRTC then - Mr Crowley said he wasn't sure what that meant.

Mr Pat Hanratty SC, for the tribunal, said it meant "a high level of political contact". "I'm not aware of that," Mr Crowley replied. He only knew of a few meetings between Mr Barry and Mr Stafford and the minister.

Asked if he was aware that Century prepared a separate application for a Dublin radio licence, he said the first he heard of this was when the tribunal told him in June.

Mr Stafford has said the company chairman was aware of a £5,000 donation to Fianna Fail, but yesterday Mr Crowley said he had no recollection of this, or that Mr Burke had met Mr Barry and Mr Stafford with Century's bankers in December 1989 until the tribunal told him. The meeting took place without the board's approval, he agreed.

By 1990 it was obvious the company was in serious financial difficulties, but it was not obvious that these were terminal, he said. They could have been, but the arrival on board of Capital Radio of London was a major achievement.

Mr Hanratty pointed out that Capital had said it would only get involved if a cap was placed on RTE's advertising revenue. Mr Burke implemented the cap in 1990.