Bank official said nothing about cash but 'knew what to do'

Larkin evidence:When Celia Larkin handed a briefcase of cash to a bank official at an AIB branch, he said nothing but "knew what to do with it", the tribunal was told yesterday.

The Taoiseach's former partner told the Mahon tribunal that Bertie Ahern, then minister for finance, had phoned bank official Philip Murphy in advance of her visit on December 5th, 1994.

Ms Larkin told tribunal counsel Henry Murphy SC that she was driven to the bank by Mr Ahern's driver, with a briefcase containing in the region of £30,000, given to Mr Ahern by Manchester businessman Michael Wall. She understood it to be sterling, she said, since that is what she saw on the table in Mr Ahern's office the previous Saturday.

She said Mr Murphy, the bank official, did not need to say anything to her when she arrived at the bank and she was shown to his office. She did not count the money when she arrived at the bank, and Mr Murphy did not count it in front of her.

"He took it out of the office," Ms Larkin said.

"He knew what to do with it."

The money was used to open an account in Ms Larkin's name, and when it was converted to Irish punts it was worth £28,772.40.

Mr Murphy returned to the office with the empty briefcase and the necessary documents for her to sign, Ms Larkin said.

She signed the paperwork, but did not recall details of the exchange rate or of receiving a docket which recorded those details.

She did not recall the specifics of any of the documents given to her, she said.

She said she then returned to the waiting car, taking the briefcase and dockets with her.

"How long were you with Mr Murphy?" tribunal counsel asked her.

"I have no idea," she said.

"I have no idea how long I'm sitting here."

She said she was more concerned with getting back to the car so that she could listen to the radio.

"It was the day that Dick Spring pulled the plug on Fianna Fáil in government," she explained.

She took the paperwork back to St Luke's, Mr Ahern's office in Drumcondra, and left it on his desk, she said.

Ms Larkin occasionally challenged the tribunal.

When tribunal counsel suggested that the tribunal did not have discovery of any documents containing her name relating to the £28,772.90 transaction, she asked if he was sure.

"I don't think that's true, Henry," she said.

A form was subsequently shown to the tribunal, referenced by Ms Larkin's representative, solicitor Hugh Millar, which showed the tribunal did in fact have such a document.