Burke's evidence could embarrass Taoiseach

Fianna Fail is steeling itself for the possibility of further damaging revelations when the former minister for foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke, makes his long-awaited appearance at the Flood tribunal this week.

Although Mr Burke is expected to deny virtually all the allegations of corruption made against him by the tribunal's main witness, Mr James Gogarty, his evidence could prove embarrassing to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.

Mr Burke is likely to be questioned on his contacts with the Taoiseach before Mr Ahern's decision to appoint him to Cabinet in June 1997. Mr Ahern has given differing accounts of his knowledge at this time of payments to Mr Burke, who was then the subject of allegations in the media.

Mr Burke, a political recluse since resigning from the Cabinet and the Dail in October 1997, is scheduled to give evidence in Dublin Castle on Thursday. Most of his evidence will deal with his single encounter with Mr Gogarty in June 1989.

At this meeting, at which the developer, Mr Michael Bailey, was also present, Mr Gogarty alleges the politician was paid £80,000 in return for planning favours. Mr Burke accepts he received £30,000, but says it was a political contribution.

The potential for embarrassment from Mr Burke's appearance at the tribunal is heightened by the fact that it will take place when the Dail is still in session. It was originally thought that he would give evidence next month, after the Dail had risen and the political fallout could be minimised.

The former minister is reported to feel abandoned by Fianna Fail since his resignation, and believes the Taoiseach has failed to support him. He submitted a limited statement to the tribunal earlier this year but may since have added to this.

The other main witnesses who are the subject of allegations by Mr Gogarty, such as Mr Bailey, Mr Joseph Murphy snr and Mr Joseph Murphy jnr, are likely to start giving their evidence next week, according to legal sources.

The tribunal resumes this morning after a five-week break caused by the local and European elections and two High Court cases involving tribunal lawyers. Among today's witnesses are two Garda technical experts who examined the damage to a window in Mr Gogarty's house after an incident in 1991. Mr Gogarty claimed it was caused by a bullet but the two experts could find no evidence for this.

In May 1998 Mr Ahern told the Dail he appointed Mr Burke to the Cabinet "on the understanding that no money had been paid to him". However, he later denied asking him specific questions about a payment from Joseph Murphy Structural Engineering.

Mr Burke's senior counsel, Mr Joe Finnegan, has already outlined to the tribunal his client's account of the meeting with Mr Gogarty. Mr Burke says he received £20,000 in cash and £10,000 by cheque when Mr Gogarty and Mr Bailey visited his home in June 1989.

Mr Burke's version contradicts that of Mr Gogarty in nearly every respect. No favours were given or asked for, he insists. Mr Murphy jnr was not present, as Mr Gogarty has insisted. The meeting took place in the morning, not the afternoon. And no tea was served to the visitors.

He had earlier told the Dail that the money paid was entirely in cash, but he is now expected to say this was not the case. Instead, he will point out that the cheque given was made out to "cash".

Meanwhile, RTE reported yesterday that the tribunal had decided against granting immunity against prosecution to the former assistant Dublin city and county manager, Mr George Redmond.