Executive 'upset' cheque for Esat went to FG

Moriarty Tribunal: An executive with the Norwegian firm, Telenor, said he was "shocked and upset" when he heard that a cheque he had signed for Esat Digifone was used for a political donation.

Mr Hans Myhre said he would not have signed the cheque if he had known its true purpose. He said he was sure he had signed the cheque without knowledge as to the true purpose of the withdrawal.

Ms Jacqueline O'Brien, for the tribunal, showed Mr Myhre a Bank of Ireland, Baggot Street, Dublin, cheque for £4001.75, dated October 6th, 1995, and signed by Mr Myhre and Mr Denis O'Brien. The cheque was used to purchase a bank draft for £4,000 made out to Fine Gael. The money was a contribution to a golf classic being organised by the party.

The cheque was drawn on a bank account set up by Telenor and Esat Telecommunications as part of their bid for the State's second mobile phone licence. Cheques drawn on the account needed two signatories - one from Esat and one from Telenor.

The tribunal has been told by Mr O'Brien that it was likely the cheque was sent for signing by Mr Myhre along with a letter from Fine Gael concerning the classic.

However, Mr Myhre said he knew nothing about a political donation until told in 2002 that the cheque was for that purpose.

He said the account was for business expenses. He also said he would not approve of a political donation during the phase when Esat Digifone was bidding for the licence.

He told Mr Eoin Fitzsimons SC, for Telenor, that he was sometimes given oral explanations for cheques that were to be signed and signed them without seeing any documentation. He would have signed a cheque if told it was for a promotion.

He said Mr O'Brien was very interested in internal promotions and that he, Mr Myhre, had "a lot of polo shirts at home" that were to do with Esat and different events it was associated with.

A cheque analysis document examined during the hearing showed the £4,001.75 cheque being a payment for Fine Gael. Another cheque, for £627, was for 61 polo shirts.

The tribunal resumes on Tuesday when Mr SeáDonlon is expected to give evidence.