The racehorse trainer and former investor in Century Radio, Mr John Mulhern, wants the State to pay €173,000 costs for his appearance before the Mahon tribunal. Mary Carolan reports.
The tribunal chairman, Judge Alan Mahon, heard submissions on costs yesterday and reserved his decision to next month.
Mr Mulhern, who is married to Ms Eimear Haughey, daughter of the former taoiseach, was before the tribunal in relation to allegations that the former Fianna Fáil minister Mr Ray Burke, sought and received a £35,000 payment from Century Radio in connection with the award of a broadcasting licence.
The Century module lasted some 87 days, and Mr Mulhern gave evidence during one day.
In his second interim report, the tribunal chairman at the time, Mr Justice Flood, concluded that it was probable that Mr Oliver Barry, who was another Century investor, would have told Mr Mulhern of being asked for money by Mr Burke and, if such was the case, it must have been clear to Mr Mulhern that this was an improper payment. He held, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Mulhern was made aware of the fact a payment was being sought by Mr Burke prior to it being made and that Mr Mulhern acquiesced in the payment "albeit reluctantly".
Mr Des O'Neill SC, for the tribunal, said yesterday that Mr Mulhern had advanced a costs bill of €173,000, including a solicitors' fee of €113,740 and brief fees for senior and junior counsel at €19,000 and €15,363. Daily appearance fees were put at €3,809 for senior counsel and €3,072 for junior counsel.
Mr Hugh Mohan SC, for Mr Mulhern, said there was no finding of corruption against his client who had fully co-operated with the tribunal at all times.