Flood Tribunal examining large donations to Burke and Flynn

A number of significant payments or donations to politicians are currently being examined by the Flood Tribunal in Dublin Castle.

Two were to the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ray Burke, and the third to the acting EU Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn.

Mr Flynn is expected to claim that a £50,000 donation he received from Mr Tom Gilmartin in June 1989 was for his personal political campaign. Mr Gilmartin has claimed that the donation was meant for Fianna Fail. The party has said it never received the cheque.

Mr Burke was given a significant amount of money in June 1989 by building developers, including Mr James Gogarty, who visited his home. The amount handed over is disputed, but was at least £30,000 and may have been as much as £80,000. Who donated the money and why is also disputed. Mr Gogarty was there as a representative of Joseph Murphy Structural Engineering. A representative of Bovale Developments was also present, but the company says it was not party to the contribution. Mr Gogarty claims the payment was meant as a bribe, but Mr Burke says it was a political contribution.

In June 1989 Mr Burke was also given £30,000 by Rennicks Manufacturing Ltd, a subsidiary of the Fitzwilton group. The company claims it intended the donation to go to Fianna Fail. Some £10,000 from the Rennicks donation was passed on by Mr Burke to his party.