Flynn could have 'sorted out' cheque confusion

Mr Pádraig Flynn claimed today the controversy over a £50,000 cheque could have been "sorted out in 30 seconds" if Fianna Fáil had contacted him about it in 1990.

Developer Mr Tom Gilmartin gave the former minister the cheque in 1989. He has told the Planning Tribunal it was intended as a donation for the Fianna Fáil party, while Mr Flynn maintains it was a personal contribution for his election expenses.

Mr Flynn was the joint national treasurer of Fianna Fáil at the time. The money was lodged in non-resident account in Castlebar in the names of Mr Flynn and his wife Dorothy.

Mr Gilmartin told the Fianna Fáil national organiser, Mr Seán Sherwin, about the payment in 1990 and asked for a receipt. Mr Sherwin then contacted the party's chief fund-raiser, Mr Paul Kavanagh, asking him to investigate.

Mr Kavanagh told the tribunal earlier this month he did not contact Mr Flynn about Mr Gilmartin's claim because he did not believe it.

The party's former financial controller, Mr Seán Fleming, said he would have contacted Mr Flynn had he been told the minister was the alleged recipient of the cheque.

Mr Flynn told the tribunal today that if he had been contacted about the cheque in 1990, he would have summoned everyone involved into his office within one hour and, depending on the answer Mr Gilmartin gave, the matter would have been resolved there and then.

He said if Fianna Fáil had spoken him when Mr Gilmartin contacted Mr Sherwin, "we wouldn't be here today" and he would not have been  "waiting for the last six years to get my say."