Court ruling on tribunal hailed

The Fitzwilton group has welcomed yesterday's decision by the Supreme Court.

"We had always believed that the tribunal had failed to comply with its terms of reference," a spokesman said. "This was a critical issue of law that required clarification."

The solicitor's firm which acted for Fitzwilton also issued a statement announcing its involvement in what it said was a "landmark" ruling.

LK Shields said the background to the case was that a request for a political donation of £30,000 had been made to Fitzwilton at the time of the 1989 general election, by a member of the Fianna Fáil fundraising committee.

"Fitzwilton agreed to make the requested political contribution to Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil knew that Fitzwilton's political contribution was made via Ray Burke. Fianna Fáil also knew that the sum (IR£10,000) Mr Burke made available to Fianna Fáil on 8th June 1989 fell short (by IR£20,000) of the IR£30,000 political contribution Fitzwilton had made to Fianna Fáil via Mr Burke.

"Fitzwilton did not become aware, until 10 years later, that Mr Burke had retained any part of its political contribution to Fianna Fáil. Further, Fitzwilton's former chairman, Sir Anthony O'Reilly, did not learn that the Fitzwilton Group's political contribution to Fianna Fáil had been made via Mr Burke until some 10 years after the contribution had been made."