Tribunal sets date for Ahern

The Mahon tribunal has set a provisional date for the appearance of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

On the tribunal's website, Mr Ahern is scheduled to appear on two afternoons, Thursday 26th and Friday 27th of July.

His former partner, Celia Larkin, is due before the tribunal on July 25th, along with Manchester builder and the previous owner of Mr Ahern's home in Drumcondra, Michael Wall.

Mr Ahern will answer queries in relation to lodgements of over £120,000 in his accounts from 1993 to 1995.

The tribunal is inquiring into Mr Ahern's finances in the context of an allegation made by businessman Tom Gilmartin that Mr Ahern received money from property developer Owen O'Callaghan.

Mr Gilmartin has alleged he was told by Mr O'Callaghan that Mr Ahern was given £50,000 in 1989 and £30,000 at an unspecified date. Both Mr Ahern and Mr O'Callaghan have strongly rejected Mr Gilmartin's allegations.

Among the lodgements to be investigated will be a £28,772.90 sterling deposit, which Mr Ahern said was made by Ms Larkin on December 5th, 1994.

In his opening statement to the tribunal at the end of May, Desmond O'Neill, counsel for the tribunal, said bank records disclosed by Allied Irish Bank on the day in question, show that sterling worth only IR£1,921.55 was exchanged at the branch Ms Larkin attended.

"A customer presenting exactly US $45,000 for exchange into Irish currency on December 5th, 1994, would have received exactly IR£28,772.90," Mr O'Neill said.

Mr Ahern has said he never carried out any dollar transactions.

The tribunal heard yesterday that Mr Gilmartin's evidence would conclude in the coming week.