Tribunal likely to reconvene in two week

The Dunnes payments tribunal is likely to reconvene in two weeks' time. A firm decision on an exact date may be taken today.

The tribunal has decided to reconvene despite the fact it has not taken evidence from key figures on the Cayman Islands. It has decided the legal process there is likely to drag on.

A Caymans court has yet to rule on whether a number of key figures there should be compelled to give evidence to the tribunal. The court reserved its decision just over two weeks ago. Whatever the decision of the court, it is likely to be appealed, the tribunal believes.

The taking of evidence at Dublin Castle is likely to resume some time between June 25th and June 30th, with the latter, a Monday, being the more likely date.

The tribunal will sit for most of July, irrespective of developments in the Cayman Islands, it is understood. It may then adjourn again. The evidence being sought on the Cayman Islands is considered by the tribunal to be very important.

The tribunal adjourned on April 28th last to allow evidence to be taken in Britain and the Cayman Islands and to enable other investigations to continue.

In an interim report the tribunal said it hoped to have the final report ready by the end of August or early September.

It is not known if Mr Justice McCracken has decided when, or if, Mr Ben Dunne's solicitor, Mr Noel Smyth, should give evidence about conversations he had with Mr Charles Haughey concerning the £1.3 million allegedly given by Mr Dunne to Mr Haughey.

Since the adjournment, the tribunal has taken evidence from bankers in London.

A request to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, that witnesses there be compelled to give evidence was opposed by a former banker resident on the island, Mr John Furze.

Ansbacher, the Caymans bank of which Mr Furze is a former director, has said it will not give evidence to the tribunal unless instructed to do so by the court.

It was during his time with the bank that the money allegedly given to Mr Haughey ended up in two accounts in Dublin banks controlled by Ansbacher. Another former director of the bank was the late Mr Des Traynor.