Moriarty Tribunal

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The Moriarty Tribunal is an Irish Public inquiry established in 1997 into the financial affairs of politicians Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry. It is still ongoing, but has revealed significant tax evasion by these and other politicians and leading businessmen. As a consequence, the tax authorities have recovered millions in settlements and penalties from many individuals.

1 Background
2 Establishment
3 Main Investigations
4 Findings
5 Consequences
6 References
7 See also
8 External links

[edit] Background

As a result of change of management in Dunnes Stores, a leading retail group in Ireland, it was revealed in the press that Ben Dunne had made substantial secret payments to the former Taoiseach Charles Haughey and Minister Michael Lowry. In response the Bruton Government established the The McCracken Inquiry in 1997 to investigate. The inquiry reported in late 1997 and confirmed the facts and revealed monies in secret Ansbacher accounts owned by Haughey for which it could not determine the source.

[edit] Establishment

In response to the McCracken Report, the Ahern Government issued terms of reference for a new follow-up tribunal on 26 September 1997. The sole member of the Tribunal is the Honourable Justice Michael Moriarty, leading to the name Moriarty Tribunal.

The terms were inquiry into (inter alia):

whether substantial payments which might not have been ethical to receive were made to Charles Haughey (Taoiseach during part of the time concerned) and Michael Lowry between 1 January 1979 and 31 December 1996,
the source of those payments,
whether payments were made to people holding public office,
whether Mr Haughey made any decisions benefiting a person making such a payment,
the source of money in various bank accounts in Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man,
whether the Republic's tax authorities were properly and timely informed of the existence of various payments and gifts to Messrs. Haughey and Lowry.

The Tribunal sat for the first time on 31 October 1997 but did not hear its first witness until 28 January 1999. As of September 2004, the Tribunal had sat on 286 days; the last sitting day was 2 March 2004 and further sittings have been suspended pending a High Court hearing. The tribunal has lasted much longer than anticipated and has cost the state millions in direct costs and legal assistance to witnesses.

The preliminary report into the Haughey payments was published on December 19, 2006.

[edit] Main Investigations

Dunne payments to Haughey
Use of accounts in Anshbacher by Haughey
Management of Haugheys financial affairs by Des Treanor
Awarding of the license to Esat by Lowry
Sale of Glen Ding Woods to CRH
Management of donations for a liver transplant for Brian Lenihan

[edit] Findings

This section documents a current event.
Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

Confirmation of facts re. payments by Dunne to Haughey and Lowry
Confirmation of use of the Ansbacher accounts by Haughey
Mr. Haughey had obstructed the tribunal
Tax avoidance findings
Mr. Haughey stole a "sizeable proportion" from the Brian Lenihan medical fund and took steps to conceal his actions^[1]
Claims that Mr. Haughey knew little about his own personal finances were rejected^[2]
Charles Haughey accepted cash in return for favours throughout his political career.^[3]

[edit] Consequences

Investigations of Mr Haughey and Mr Lowry for tax evasion by the Revenue Commissioners. Settlements by both
Advance sale and leaseback of his home, Abbeville, by Mr Haughey
Revelations of use of the Ansbacher accounts by other businessmen and politicians for tax avoidance. An interim report on the lead to an investigation by the Department of Trade and Enterprise which named the holders, and led to Denis Foley TD leaving FF.
Related investigations on corruption by the press, such as that on Beverley Flynn Teachta Dála
Related investigations on the use of foreign accounts for tax evasion by the Dáil Public Accounts committee, leading to settlements by the banks, and thousands of individuals.