Developer Mr Michael Bailey had rung Mr Burke after he resigned as minister for foreign affairs and expressed deep regret that he had in any way been associated with ending his career by introducing him to Mr James Gogarty, the tribunal was told.
The tribunal was taking Mr Burke through a series of telephone calls between him and Mr Bailey.
Mr John Gallagher SC, for the tribunal, asked about a call on Sunday, July 20th, 1997, from Mr Bailey to him on the day that an article appeared in the Sunday Tribune.
"I don't remember the actual time of the call; I do recall Mr Bailey contacting me. It was about the publicity of the day and the false story that Mr Bailey had given me a donation in 1989 when in actual fact the donation was from JMSE, that's the circumstances," he said.
Mr Gallagher asked if Mr Bailey was concerned about the allegation that Bovale had donated £30,000 as an election contribution to him. Mr Burke replied: "He was annoyed about the story. Naturally, I was annoyed myself."
Mr Gallagher then asked about a call from Mr Bailey to his home on Saturday, October 9th, 1997. He asked if he remembered the eight-minute call.
"I do, Mr chairman, the circumstances were that I had resigned from public life on the 7th and there were very tragic family circumstances; I buried my brother the same morning on the 7th, and there was a considerable amount of publicity about my resignation.
"Mr Bailey's attitude was very human and his approach to me was one of deep regret that in any way he was associated in ending my career by introducing Mr Gogarty into my life."