A son of the late Mr Brian Lenihan told the tribunal yesterday that it was to the credit of Mr Charles Haughey that he came forward when his father was critically ill in 1989 and needed a liver transplant.
Mr Brian Lenihan TD was being asked about a fund set up to assist his father's medical expenses. Earlier, the tribunal heard evidence from Dr Eamon de Valera, former editor-in-chief of Irish Press newspapers, who contributed £10,000, and Mr Dan McGing, an accountant.
Mr Lenihan said he did not have any role in raising funds to assist his father's medical treatment. His father developed very poor health in the latter part of 1987 and the condition continued in 1988.
"Early in 1989 the position became critical. I remember especially about Easter 1989, matters were very serious indeed and the medical advice was that he would require a liver transplant to secure his life and that he was in a very serious critical condition, so I certainly remember that period very, very well," Mr Lenihan said.
Mr John Coughlan SC, for the tribunal, said Mr Lenihan's mother gave evidence that apart from dealing with the cost of treatment in the US, a small donation was given to her personally and there were no receipts of any other monies.
"No, in fact, at the time my father was not an especially wealthy man in any way and to the credit of Mr Haughey he came forward and it was a very critical situation but I think very much to his credit, he came forward and said that he would help in every way possible," Mr Lenihan said.
He said he knew Mr Peter Hanley was helping Mr Haughey in that connection because he was an old family friend.
The general election was called in 1989, a few hours after his father had the transplant. He said Mr Hanley visited him to find out if his father would be contesting the seat. His father of course had done so.
"I have no direct knowledge of any payment made other than the general assistance rendered by Mr Hanley and Mr Haughey, and to the credit of both of them, and apart from that I don't have hearsay knowledge," he said.
His father never discussed this with him. He formed the impression his father might not have known the extent of the contributions.
Earlier, Dr de Valera said that in the spring of 1989 he received a phone call from Mr Dan McGing who was chairman of the Agricultural Credit Corporation. Mr McGing had been an audit partner at Coopers & Lybrand, the auditors of the Irish Press.
Mr McGing requested a donation of £10,000. Dr de Valera discussed it with the MD, Mr Vincent Jennings, and they agreed to the request.
A cheque for £10,000 was drawn on the account of Irish Press plc made payable to Coopers & Lybrand and sent to Mr McGing. Coopers & Lybrand were also the auditors of Fianna Fail at the time.
It would have been understood that the donation was confidential. It was made by the Irish Press and drawn on its account. He did not know how it was journalised in the Irish Press.
After the donation he received a further phone call from Mr McGing, possibly in late 1989 or early 1990. He was invited to a lunch which he understood was by way of a thank-you for the donation. It was attended by Mr Lenihan and his son, Brian.
Mr Dan McGing told the tribunal that the cheque went into a Coopers & Lybrand client account. The reason for routing it from Irish Press plc would have been to maintain confidentiality. He said he could not remember anything about the cheque, as there were no records, or who had asked him to approach Dr de Valera, although it was most likely to have been Mr Hanley. He said he was only acting as a postbox.