Taoiseach tried to repay money, says publican

Dublin publican Charlie Chawke said yesterday that the Taoiseach had on four occasions tried to return money he had given to Mr Ahern in the early 1990s.

Mr Chawke said the last time this had occurred had been about two years ago. However, he said he had refused to accept the money. "I would accept it now if he wants."

Mr Chawke said he gave £2,500 to Mr Ahern as part of the December 1993 collection that raised £22,500 for Mr Ahern.

The collection was organised by Mr Ahern's solicitor, the late Gerry Brennan, and involved eight donors. A second collection organised by publican Dermot Carew in 1994 raised a further £16,500 from a further four donors.

"On at least four occasions . . . I was asked to accept the money back and I said no. I didn't want it and I walked away and dismissed it. I didn't want it back," Mr Chawke said on RTÉ Radio One.

Mr Chawke insisted the money was intended as a loan from a friend, not a political donation or gift. "I don't know anything about gifts or otherwise, other than he accepted it as a loan.

"This wasn't a politician accepting money from people, this was a friend helping out a friend, or friends helping friends, and that was the only way I looked at it.

"I'm not involved in politics, but I'm a friend for a long time of Bertie Ahern's. I hold the man in the highest of esteem. I was delighted to be in position, it was only £2,500 and I could afford it at the time and it didn't put me under any great stress".

Mr Chawke said he decided to contribute after talking with other donors in the Goat Grill pub in south Dublin.