Sutherland link with Ansbacher being examined

The Moriarty Tribunal has been inquiring into possible connections between the former EU Commissioner, Mr Peter Sutherland, and offshore dealings linked to the Ansbacher deposits.

The tribunal, which resumes public hearings today, is in the process of examining the operation of the deposits and links which may exist between them and persons who hold, or have held, public office. It is likely that today's hearing will begin with a lengthy opening statement by the tribunal.

Mr Sutherland is understood to be among 120 people named in a confidential report by authorised officer Mr Gerard Ryan into Ansbacher Cayman Ltd, with which the deposits were lodged. A copy of Mr Ryan's report has been given to the tribunal.

Mr Sutherland has said he never had either an account or any beneficial interest in College Trustees, a Channel Islands trust company linked to the Ansbacher deposits.

He has also pointed out that as a non-resident of this jurisdiction for many years, there would be nothing wrong with his having any such account.

Mr Sutherland is chairman of Goldman Sachs International, and co-chairman of multinational oil group BP Amoco. He could not be contacted last night and is understood to be in Stockholm.

The Fianna Fail TD for Kerry North, Mr Denis Foley, is expected to appear before the tribunal shortly to give evidence about Central Tourist Holdings Ltd, a company with which he was involved, and certain offshore transactions involving that company.

The property developer, Mr John Byrne, whose main companies have been linked to the Ansbacher deposits, was also involved in Central Tourist Holdings. The company owned the Central Hotel in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, and organised dances there. It was incorporated in 1972 and had ceased trading by the mid-1980s. The company was dissolved last year.

Another Fianna Fail TD, Mr John Ellis, has already appeared before the tribunal in relation to £26,000 he received from the Fianna Fail party leader's account in 1989/1990, when Mr Charles Haughey was Taoiseach. The money was given to Mr Ellis to help him fight bankruptcy proceedings which could have cost him his Dail seat.

The tribunal last sat in public on December 21st when evidence was heard from Mr Padraig Collery, a former banker with Guinness & Mahon bank.

Mr Collery is expected to give further evidence concerning the complex operation of the Ansbacher deposits.