Queries on FF leader's payments resume

The questioning of Mr Charles Haughey's former private secretary about payments from the Fianna Fail party leader's allowance…

The questioning of Mr Charles Haughey's former private secretary about payments from the Fianna Fail party leader's allowance account is expected to continue when the Moriarty tribunal resumes today. Ms Eileen Foy is expected to be asked in particular about cheques drawn on the account which were made out to Celtic Helicopters, Adare Manor and Le Coq Hardi Restaurant in Dublin.

Ms Foy started giving evidence on Friday, when she stressed repeatedly she was relying on memory in recalling details of transactions on the account. According to her evidence, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, pre-signed cheques drawn on the party leader's account.

Ms Foy is also expected to be asked about the lodgement of monies to the party leader's account which were originally collected to defray the medical expenses of the late Mr Brian Lenihan.

After Ms Foy's evidence concludes the tribunal is expected to call other witnesses with possible information about the operation of the leader's allowance account. It is expected that among these will be Ms Catherine Butler, a former special adviser to Mr Haughey. It is believed part of her evidence will deal with the pre-signing of cheques from the leader's account by Mr Ahern.

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It is understood that the issue of Mr John Ellis TD and a £250,000 debt write-off by the National Irish Bank is not covered under the terms of reference of the tribunal.

Meanwhile, the Flood tribunal resumes tomorrow when legal teams are expected to argue about whether two further affidavits filed by the late Mr Liam Conroy, the chief executive of JMSE, read into the record in Guernsey can be read in public in Dublin.

The evidence of Mr Joseph Murphy snr is also due to be read to the tribunal in Dublin tomorrow. This is expected to take about two days and then the tribunal will adjourn until October 26th, when Mr George Redmond will be cross-examined. Among the witnesses to be called after that are Mr Thomas Bailey and his wife, Ms Caroline Bailey.