The Moriarty tribunal has been stalled for a week by a High Court challenge by millionaire businessman Mr Denis O'Brien, it emerged tonight.
Mr O'Brien is due to seek a High Court injunction tomorrow morning to block the inquiry from probing into his business affairs.
Tribunal lawyers told Justice Daniel Herbert today that they had received legal papers from Mr O'Brien on Friday afternoon.
Tribunal chairman Judge Michael Moriarty then decided to adjourn the payments-to-politicians inquiry until September 28th.
The tribunal is investigating the purchase of Doncaster Rovers Football Club by Mr O'Brien in 1998.
Judge Moriarty had been due to hear tomorrow about former Fine Gael Government minister Mr Michael Lowry's alleged involvement in the Doncaster deal.