Row breaks out over allegations that corruption investigation lacked forensic accountancy evidence

A row has broken out over allegations by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie A’Hern that an anti-corruption tribunal report “..had been arrived at without deploying the services of a forensic accountant..”

The fomer Taoiseach’s statement came after a panel of enquiry investigating allegations of financial mismanagement concluded that Mr A’Hern had failed to give a “truthful account” concerning funds that had reportedly passed through his bank accounts. 

A spokesman for the Mahon tribunal has told reporters that two forensic accountants were retained by investigators and that Mr A’Hern could have called his own experts in the investigation into claims of bribery and corruption.

The former Prime Minister had said: "I find it extraordinary that the tribunal has also disregarded the expert evidence that was given to it on tax, accounting and banking matters which supported me. In particular, I believe that the notion that I got large sums of sterling and dollars is objectionable, inaccurate and without an iota of foundation".

The corruption allegations centre on a payment of one hundred and sixty five thousand Irish pounds from Cork-based developer Owen O’Callaghan in the early and mid-1990s.

The Irish Government has now referred the three thousand page report from the Mahon tribunal to the Garda Commissioner, the Director of Public Prosecutions. the Revenue Commissioners and to the Standards in Public Office Commissioner. 

Mr A’Hern has denied any suggestion of bribery or corruption and vows to fight on to clear his name after resigning from Fianna Fail, the party of which he was leader.

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