Moriarty inquiry issues warning on interim findings

THE CHAIRMAN of the Moriarty tribunal has said it would be “quite wrong” for any mention of the provisional findings of the tribunal to be raised at its current sittings.

The tribunal reconvened yesterday to hear the evidence of English solicitor Christopher Vaughan in relation to the purchase of three properties in England in which the tribunal has an interest.

Witnesses to the tribunal had already been circulated with preliminary findings in relation to investigations made by the tribunal into payments to politicians.

Justice Michael Moriarty said that following the circulation of the preliminary findings by the tribunal, “very considerable amounts of correspondence” had been received “the units of which have run into the hundreds rather than tens”.

The tribunal would afford all due fairness to witnesses, he said.

It would be “quite wrong” for the preliminary findings to be discussed at the sittings, he said.

He also said the tribunal had lasted longer than anticipated and “it would be foolish not to acknowledge the considerable pressure of time on the tribunal to ensure a report is presented to the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity”.

Justice Moriarty said the tribunal had taken the decision to reopen the public sittings to enable it to have the fullest evidence possible and to ensure fair procedure was given to those affected by the report.

He said Mr Vaughan was regarded as a valuable and important witness and the tribunal had wanted to take evidence from him for some time. Moreover, he said two further witnesses would be called when his evidence was completed.

Counsel for businessman Denis O’Brien, Darren Lehane, asked if the tribunal could confirm some of the provisional findings made by them had been withdrawn.

Justice Moriarty said the matter could be discussed with counsel for the tribunal.