Revenue wrote to clerk

A revenue Commissioners' official wrote to a District Court clerk asking about the circumstances surrounding the drawing up of an authorisation letter sent by Judge O Buachalla to the Revenue Commissioners.

The authorisation letter stated that Judge O Buachalla had no difficulty with the transfer of the Jack White's Inn licence from the joint names of Tom and Catherine Nevin to the sole name of Catherine Nevin.

The O Buachalla inquiry heard yesterday that Revenue Commissioners official Mr Michael Goodwin wrote to court clerk Mr Liam Sexton asking if this authorisation letter was an order of court and if the hearing surrounding the letter was held in open court.

His letter also asked that, if this was the case, was the superintendent in Gorey notified of it and, if so, what was his reaction to it.

Mr Sexton wrote back to Mr Goodwin saying that Mr Goodwin had requested such an order. Mr Goodwin said he was "quite surprised" at this as he had not requested the order.

He said the Revenue Commissioners had a duty to examine applications which came before them but he certainly did not suggest this form of letter.

Mr Dan Prendiville, a higher executive officer with the excise licence unit of the Revenue Commissioners, agreed that Judge O Buachalla had signed an order which was requested by the Revenue Commissioners.

Mr Prendiville had said he had believed a certificate of transfer was required for Catherine Nevin to hold the licence in her sole name.

However, when Mr John Rogers SC, for Judge O Buachalla, asked him if the order made by Judge O Buachalla was the order requested by the Revenue Commissioners to grant the licence, Mr Prendiville said this was the case.

It was the fifth day of hearings held by the O Buachalla inquiry which is looking into Judge O Buachalla's handling of the licensing of Jack White's Inn, Co Wicklow.

The inquiry has been adjourned by Mr Justice Murphy until October 3rd.