Moriarty investigates information leaked to East lawyer

Conflicting statements have been given to the Moriarty tribunal by the chairman of Independent News & Media, Sir Anthony O'Reilly, and the former Fine Gael minister, Mr Michael Lowry.

The statements were contained in a report by the tribunal outlining the results of its year-long private inquiry into the award of Ireland's second mobile phone licence in 1996.

Mr Lowry, then minister for transport, energy and communications, told the tribunal that both men had met at the Curragh horse races in July 1995 and that they had discussed the bid of Irish Cellular Telephones with which Sir Anthony was connected.

Mr Lowry said of Sir Anthony that: "He discussed his consortium's application for the licence and sought to impress upon me his commitment to Ireland and his investment in the country.

"He also spoke about recognition of his personal standing as an international business leader."

Mr Lowry said Sir Anthony "stated that he expected that his consortium would be successful"

However, Sir Anthony has denied meeting Mr Lowry at the Curragh in July of 1995 saying that it was more likely the meeting took place the following year after the licence had been awarded.

Sir Anthony said it was "absolutely untrue" that he discussed the chances of his consortium in July of 1995 with Mr Lowry or that he expressed confidence that his consortium would win.

The tribunal is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the award of the licence to the Esat Digifone consortium in 1996 and in particular a number of financial transactions linking Mr Denis O'Brien, the main force behind Esat Digifone, and Mr Michael Lowry, the minister who issued the licence.