My thesis

I’ve been interested in the Mahon inquiry into corruption for some time now. The relevance of this story to modern Ireland is pointed because it affects what we see around us, or rather, what we see built around us.

The planning process in Ireland to develop land for commercial, domestic or other uses affects us as citizens profoundly.

I’m started an online thesis project. Delivering daily, up-to-date, reportage of news coming from Dublin Castle.

I haven’t got a comments option going yet, so post any comments here if you like ,

slan

CitiZenJon

started up a new blog,

http://citizenjon2008dublincastle.wordpress.com/

J.

Bertie Visits the Tribunal

Last week at the Tribunal the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern responded to questioning from Des O’Neill SC, leading counsel for the Inquiry into planning corruption.

Day one of the two day attendance saw little initial public enthusiasm that did his two previous attendances on December 21 and 22. Similiarly the commencement of questioning was reported by some in the public gallery to be almost polite.

That was to change as the day progressed, with opposition coming from both the Irish leader and his legal team lead by barrister Conor McGuire SC to the line and tone of questioning.

At 11:36 things started to heat up as the Taoiseach answered questions concerning two lodgements of 5,000 pounds and as to whether or not these sums were believed by the Taoiseach to be political donations or personal gifts.

O’Neill SC: Was it your belief that somebody had given you two 5,000 pounds gifts?

Ahern: No

O’Neill: And you thought you knew the company that had given it?

Ahern: Yes. And the individual. But when I went back to the company, and I have to say they have been very helpful, they could not verify that the individual I thought had given it to me had given it to me. So I was not able to prove that.

O’Neill: but was it a political donation?

Ahern: Sometimes I think you don’t listen to me […] it was a political donation for my personal use.

Mr. Ahern spent most of the day prevaricating and dodging precision at every verbal turn. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective and stymied the relentless Senior Counsel’s questioning. At one stage Ahern refuses to answer a question concerning a payment received into an account connected to Ahern in October 1992, he ignores the question five times by going off on a tangent.

A peculiar tell of Ahern’s is his habit of ducking his head behind the witness box monitor. He does this in response to certain questions and does it now in response to the production of a compliment slip from Davy Stockbrokers, it reads “Best of luck in the election Bertie.” Signed by Robbie Kellegher it is evidence of a 5,000 ‘contribution’ paid into the ‘B/T’ account administered by his close friend Tim Collins.

Mr. Ahern revealed for the first time that his lover Celia Larkin had withdrawn 30,000 pounds from the account to purchase property in his constituency.

McGuire SC calls for a recess, but judge Mahon denies his request.

Pincer Movement by Opposition

Opposition party leaders Enda Kenny (Fine Gael) and Eamon Gilmore (Labour) attacked the Irish leader and his party Fianna Fail last weekend. Both called for the Taoiseach’s resignation following his evidence to the Mahon tribunal since September ‘07. The tribunal is investigating corrupt payment allegations against Mr. Ahern during the mid-90s when he was Minister for Finance. The allegations, made by embittered land developer Tom Gilmartin, are that Mr. Owen O’Callaghan, a cork property owner boasted he had Bertie in his pocket for two sums totallying 80,000 pounds. The subsequent Inquiry by the Mahon tribunal, has found significant sums of money moving in and out of the Irish prime minister’s accounts around the time in question. Each time Mr. Ahern, who promised a comprehensive accounting of all his finances prior to last year’s election, has given testimony, his explanations seem more indistinct and more funds are revealed. In a statement Mr. Kenny stated that Mr. Ahern had misled the Irish people in relation to his finances and his tax affairs.

Enda Kenny attacks Taoiseach

Full text of Mr Kenny’s statement on Taoiseach’s affairs:

More revelations of the Tribunal

Just before the Christmas break, the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, appeared at the Tribunal. He gave evidence about his financial activities in the mid-90s.

He concluded this current round of questioning with a further revelation of receiving 5000 pounds.

All of this questioning is related to the so-called ‘dig-out’ that Mr. Ahern alleges he received; an explanation for Mr. Gilmartin’s allegations that he received a corrupt payment.

It would seem, in the light of the Tribunal’s investigations and the Irish leader’s explanations, that there are many questions pertaining to his financial dealings in his early career, as yet unanswered.

Why was he receiving funds from Willdover Ltd. If the funds were personal donations why were they concealed, through financial transactions and tranfers. If the funds were of a political nature why were they not defined as such.

Has Mr. Ahern paid tax on any of the funds. In the gallery of the Mahon Tribunal a learned lady, E., remarked upon the importance of tax compliance in relation to Bertie’s revelations about monies, sometimes significant amounts, which he received. My learned friend, who takes note of such transactions, remarked that the tax amounts due on the loans, if indeed they were loans, would be significant, not to mention interest acrued over the subsequent 10 year period.

Why have Mr. Ahern’s explanations differed, on many occasions, from the Tribunal’s discoveries of his financial activities.

In the absence of a clear and concise accounting for his financial transactions while he held the position of Minister for Finance and Taoiseach, is it appropriate that he continue as Leader of the Irish Nation.

The latter question has been dismissed by supporters of Mr. Ahern and his party; generally the response has been, Bertie has guided this country to unprecedented economic growth, or, he presided over a crucial stage of the peace process in the North. The premise of their argument being that his significant achievments outweigh any need for an objective analysis of his performance leading state institutions.

The Temerity of the Taoiseach

As a student of the fourth estate it is my responsibility to have my personal and professional motives well aligned within the ethical lines of my vocation. What am I doing, and why. In particular I try to adhere to the National Union of Journalist’s guidelines. For some Solomon reason I must, attempt at least, to view all sides of a story with impartiality; thus my own writings on the Tribunal should reflect this same equivocal neutrality.As this is a blog, however, and bounded only by my imagination, I hereby enact the ‘I’ll Say What I Want Protocol’. I may, herein, rove in whatever fashion I so please.There are times as I sit and watch the Taoiseach, answering questions about his finances in the 90s, when I am enraged. Our glorious leader, our honest John, Our Bertie, blurting out unbelievable blurb. Sometimes I seeth at the temerity of his testimony. His marriage left him broke. Without a farthing. Yet he had 54 grand. He knew nothing about a dig-out before it happened, yet he opened a Special Savings Account two weeks prior, if a forged receipt is any evidence. In such dire financial straights, was it prudent, or indeed ethical, of AIB to lend him an unsecured loan and not charge him interest on it for 18 months. Was it appropriate, that as Taoiseach he was receiving checks from Wildover Ltd. Or that the shelf company, received and distributed, large sums of money, administered by Des Richardson. And a thousand other questions. The real question is how long will Bertie continue to mislead the Tribunal. He misled the Tribunal for one and a half years concerning the sterling sums he received. He misled the country when interviewed by Brian Dobson in September 2006, when he teared-up over his marital separation; a dig-out from friends he blubbed. He misled the electorate when he proclaimed all would be made clear when he appeared in September 2007. In that month, he weaved a

miscellaneous patchwork of memory lapses, half-truths and excuses.Now here I stew. We’ve been hoodwinked. We’ve been bamboozled. We’ve been had. There was no goddamned dig-out. No whip-around. No Goddamned chance.The Times, ‘Dig outs queried’ reported likewiseNone of the Manchester posse, could provide any evidence of having given Bertie the alleged monies. Is it really likely that every single contributor at that fabled dinner had taken a thousand in petty cash from their respective businesses and not a docket, not a receipt, not a tag or a credit note, not a sausage remains? How far does the public’s credulity stretch. In a democracy, is it just to permit the sovereignty of one powerful individual, burdened with the rulership of our state, to reign supreme without censure or recourse. Or is there another reason for his continued erosion of the public’s faith in government. Could it be that you just don’t care anymore? Could it be that you are merely one individual in a nation of millions. One particle in the universe without power or gravitas. One cell in the body politic with no say in where you go. A body weakened with the cancerous cells of corruption. Perhaps there is no such thing as democracy. But forget about all that. Let’s get back to the facts. A Tribunal is a body of state. And if a witness willfully misleads or conceals facts from the Tribunal, it is a crime. Prosecutable by the High Court. Has Mr. Ahern willfully misled the Tribunal? My opinion, is yes, perhaps more, perhaps less than any other before it. All human life is here, Gilmartin, the embittered land developer, a political system undermined by the powerful lobby of private sector land development ,and TDs in our government. Manchester businessmen ‘in the circle’. Public representatives from across the Irish political spectrum implicated in countless double-deals and goings on. And it’s been going on for 10 years. Why aren’t there demonstrations? Oh, that’s easy, Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat.

A Tribunal of Inquiry

It is an arm of state, granted legal status, by an Act of Parliament in 1921. During the war for Independence English legal sovereignty extended to the second city of its empire. The act which consolidated about 30 others on Inquiries provided for a Tribunal to investigate “matters of urgent public importance”.Being a statutory body, equal to the High Court, it has the power to enforce the attendance of witnesses on oath, and to attain documents from any source. The Act could also find a witness guilty of contempt for not complying with its orders. The Tribunal must also be administered in public, except where it judged it necessary to be in private.As was the case when Bertie, made his first appearance at the Tribunal.The maintenance of this privacy was another matter. Certain details from the Irish leader’s statement, were made public in September 2006, they featured his explanations about sums of money that he received in the mid-90s, he was subsequently cross-examined in public. I attended all of those appearances; save 2 hours when I was in college for ‘newsday’.

credit to photograpr

credit to photographer

Mr. Ahern’s comments were dissembling and obstructive, to the Tribunal’s inquiry. We heard how his legal team delayed repeatedly over a long period in replying to the Tribunal’s communications. We heard the Taoiseach give conflicting evidence concerning the money he received in 94 and 95.By the time his sessions had concluded, he had changed his recollections concerning certain monies he had recieved several times.However, as the Tribunal’s terms of referance state, that it can impose no sentence nor administer any punishment, being essentially a fact finding excercise reporting to the government.That said, if revelations continue as thick and fast as they did this week about Bertie’s ‘manchester dig-out’ then the court of public support may continue its deterioration. Bertie’s supposed ‘friends’ seem to be few and far between.

Greens make historic decision to go for government.

	Green Party delegates vote with an 86% majority to join Fianna Fail in the formation of the 30th Dail CitiZenJon reports Green Party members, 510 members to be exact, traveled from all over the country today to attend a specially convened conference to debate and vote on proposals from the majority party Fianna Fail to enter a coalition to form the next government. Outside the Mansion House party faithful and protesters alike waited eagerly for the results of delegates’ decision. After the vote, press were invited inside to hear the decision. The packed hall, hushed to silence as the announcement was made. A majority of 86% voted to accept FF’s proposals. Green leader, Trevor Sargent, also announced he would be stepping down as leader, following his campaign statement that he would not go into government with FF.
CitiZenJon reports from the Green Pary Conference
Greens leader Trevor Sargent was swarmed by media who jostled and jigged for position to question Mr. Sargent on his decision to step down.During the electoral campaign Sargent had repeatedly stated that he would not go into government with Fianna Fail. Sargent, showing a largesse rarely seen in Irish politics, decided to step down to pave the way for the party to enter government tomorrow when the 30th Dail convenes to create the new government cabinet. The Greens compromised on several policy issues such as the use of Shannon airport by US troops on their way to Iraq and on the contentious route of the new M3 motorway through the historic Tara area.They also had to step back from opposing the co-location of public and private hospitals on private land which they had vociferously opposed during the election. As debate raged inside over the policy compromises conceded by the party, outside protesters waited quietly. The sudden about-turn on these ‘core’ issues has generated serious debate among their constituents. The decision by the Greens will allow the party to enter government for the first time in their 25 year history.
	Sargent announces his resignation from the leadership of Greens

The Eagle has landed

Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern cranks up the race for government today as the Fianna Fail hustings arrives at the GPO CitiZenJon reports There was an air of expectation at 11:30 today as journalists, photographers, cameramen and the party faithful awaited the arrival of Fianna Fail’s Bertie Ahern outside the GPO on O’Connell Street. As David Davin-Power basked in the mid-day sunshine and cameras jostled for position I took the opportunity to catch a few shots of Bertie as he arrived to cheers and heckles from the crowd. Several onlookers called, “Where’s your 80 grand.” Another chanted: “You’re wrecking this country.” But party members and passers-by cheered as the Taoiseach alighted from his car and began shaking hands and clapping backs to all and sundry. Bertie then entered the GPO, nimbly ducking and diving the swarm of media, for a quick photo opportunity with employees before racing out to meet Dubliners on the city’s main thoroughfare.

Bertie on hustings through Dublin city centre

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It was like a carnival as the Taoiseach zig-zagged across Henry Street greeting bemused pedestrians, pausing briefly for the myriad photographers before moving on. One eastern European girl said, “Who was he?” after he had vigorously grasped her by the hand. A plain-clothes organiser of the event tried to cajole a shy shop assistant to hand the leader an umbrella and say “You might need this”, a stage managed moment, but the girl in question was shy and backed away. The organiser, lost his temper and said, “For f**k sake you’re useless.” before racing on to scout the next photo op. Bertie’s nimbleness was impressive as he turned down Moore Street, shaking hands with fruit sellers. Another lady presented the Taoiseach with a bunch of flowers and Bertie kissed her and gave her a hug as cameras flashed in unison. Next stop was the fishwives of Moore Street where the Taoiseach and his entourage laughed nervously when someone joked, “there’s something fishy going on Bertie.” But the bevy of photographers kept snapping just the same.

Bertie Ahern meets the public on Henry street

Payments scandal set to dog Bertie’s election hopes

	Bertie Ahern refuses to answer questions into financial impropriety on the election trail today. As his hustings kicked off in Dublin journalists questioned the Irish leader regarding payments due to be investigated by the Mahon Tribunal. Judge Mahon announced on Monday that the Tribunal had been due to examine an allegation that Mr Ahern received £80,000 from the Cork developer, Owen O’Callaghan. Judge McMahon said it would be unfair for Mr. Ahern to be required to give evidence concerning his financial history during the party’s electoral campaign.The Tribunal will now resume hearings on 28 May. The Taoiseach has said that the decision was totally a matter for the tribunal and he had been not aware that it would happen. Mr Ahern today reiterated that Mr O’Callaghan never gave him a penny and said he would deal with the issues concerning the tribunal when they arrive. The decision by Judge Mahon couldn’t have come at a better time for Fianna Fail who would undoubtedly be damaged by any appearance by their leader in the Tribunal of inquiry concerning dodgy land deals in his earlier career.
Bertie dodges bullet as Tribunal postpones investigation

Bertie Finally Calls Election

Irish Taoseach Bertie Ahern announces election after weeks of speculation in the Dail Bertie Ahern, has finally done it and disolved the 29th Dáil. Polling in the General Election will take place on Thursday 24th May. The Taoiseach went to Áras an Uachtaráin this morning to seek the dissolution from the President of Ireland. Bertie’s decision follows months of speculation, and campaigning for the election, which had to be held no later than early June.Recent polls suggest its gonna be a close one, and no single opposition party has a clear advantage. As I write Marian Finucane is speaking to Enda Kenny. Check out the RTE’s broadcast on the web at rte.ie/live. Kenny seems enthusiastic, “It’s a pleasure to hear the news that the game is finally on on this beautiful sunny day.”Now that’s what I like to hear.He has promised that if he is given the mandate from the electorate he will fulfill his promises (and their are many) on the economy, the nurses strike and all the myriad other issues he proposes to magically resolve.