Witness may have alibi for Ahern

The tribunal has heard evidence backing up the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern's assertion that he was elsewhere at the time of the meeting Mr Tom Gilmartin claims he had with government ministers in Leinster House in 1989.

Mr Con Hackett, a production officer at Leo Pharma, told the tribunal that Mr Ahern presented him with a certificate at a ceremony in Glasnevin on February 1st, 1989.

This is the date originally put forward by Mr Gilmartin for his claimed meeting with government ministers, after which he says he was subjected to an extortion demand for £5 million.

However, Mr Gilmartin now says he believes the meeting could have taken place on the afternoon of either February 1st or 2nd.

According to Mr Hackett, he was one of up to 25 people who completed the safety training course at the National Industrial Fire and Safety Training centre. Mr Ahern (then minister for labour) arrived about 5 p.m. and left, after presenting the certificates and making a short speech, just over half an hour later.

Mr Hackett said he contacted the Fianna Fáil headquarters in March, after hearing on the radio that Mr Ahern would be giving evidence that he had an alibi for the date of Mr Gilmartin's claimed meeting.

Fianna Fáil sent a solicitor to obtain a statement from him, and he produced a photograph of himself receiving the certificate from Mr Ahern.