Michael Wall Allegedly Gave Celia Larkin £30,000
Read more about: Bertiegate, Corruption, Democracy, Fianna Fail, Government, Irish Election, Irish Politics, Media, Scandal, Tribunals 
The Irish Times begins the first full day of the election campaign with a story from the Mahon Tribunal. The Tribunal has been informed that Bertie’s bus driver on the night in Manchester (for I think it is he) gave £30,000 to Celia Larkin in cash.
The money was placed by Ms Larkin in an account in her name and was used to fund work on a house in Drumcondra owned at the time by Mr Wall and being rented by Bertie Ahern, the tribunal has been informed. Mr Ahern later purchased the house in 1997.
These and other allegations are due to hit the fan today as the Mahon Tribunal begins public hearings on Quarryvale 2. We are also likely to hear Tom Gilmartin’s allegations that the developmer Owen O’Callaghan gave Bertie £50,000 in return for tax breaks on his shopping development (a favour which Gilmartin attempted to avail of and was rebuffed-allegedly). Both parties deny the allegations but it remains to be seen how much of this will get aired before the Tribunal winds up for the election.
Bertie was in Opposition at the time and therefore not in a position to give favours in return. Also 1994 was a different time and I think people appreciate that.
Bertie was elected leader of Fianna Fáil on 19 December 1994, the government having collapsed only a few days before with Renyolds’ resignation over another Fianna Fáil scandal – one involving Harry whelahan and his “mishandling” of the extradiction of serial child rapist, Fr. Brendan Smyth. It was believed at the time that Dick Spring would do a deal with Bertie and continue with the coalition. He didn’t, of course, and Spring surprised pretty much everyone by forming a coalition with Fine Gael and DL. Bertie was put into opposition by the skin of his teeth, and as leader of Fianna Fáil it was a safe enough bet that he would end up as Taoiseach one day. Unlike Fine Gael, there has never been a Fianna Fail leader who has NOT been Taoiseach. you have got to be kidding if you except us to believe that Bertie was not in a position to do favours.
Bertie Ahern has been described, by Alan Ruddock, as, quote “a moral degenerative and an intellectual pygmy”, unquote.
Alan Ruddock is one of the most astute observers of the Irish Political and Economic scene. Along with Damien Kiberd; Liam Clarke & Matt Cooper, they continue to give the reading public the most penetrating analysis of current political and economic events.
Perhaps, in time, M/s Larkin will sell her story to the media. Most of what she is likely to reveal is already known, or, at least, the subject of conjecture, just as in the case of Bertie’s mentor, C.J. Haughey, one of Ireland’s most infamous crooks.
So, given the evidence; the probability; the close relationship between the developers & builders – who spend so freely in the “FF Galway Tent”; the Loans; Gifts ( notwithstanding the feeble interview with Brian Dobson, who lost a golden opportunity to make TV news); the lies; half truths; mendacity; assurances to the contrary…
…It is probable that Bertie is cast in the same mold as Don Charlione.
Bertie, too, is a pickpocket; weak; venal; an adulterer; a sponger; cadger; an ostrich burying his head in the sands of public opinion; incapable of accepting that the wider public have got his number.
And how has he survived in the face of such disapprobation & the knowledge of his incompetence and mendacity?
Exactly the same as with Charlie. Apathy.
Pockets now bulging with the gifts of the Celtic Tiger, voters have joined Bertie in the sand. Better the devil you know and, being a crook, he will look after his own.
The alternatives are bleak.
The only politicians with balls and the energy to lead are in the PDs, who are facing the chop.
Liz McManus & Joan Burton in Labour; Richard Bruton in Fine Gael and Joe Higgins all have ability, honesty and commitment to more than a top-of-the-range motor car & driver.
The rest are time-servers, content with the Mercedes and waiting for their several pensions.
Full of wind and water – like the Barber’s Cat.
In the meantime – God Save Ireland.
PS
It would be appropriate if FF were returned to power, if for no other reason than to clean up the mess coming down the tracks, with which their lack of competence and action is threatening to engulf the country in 2008.
The Mahon tribunal has been suspended until after the election. Three weeks of leaks then.
One can only guess what sort of “Bung” Hazel Lawlor was given, or offered, by de Bert to mount her hopeless Hight Court delaying action!!!
I don’t accept that the PDs are facing the chop. If you’re believe our leftist-dominated commentariat they always have been at every election.
Leftist-dominated what? The Irish times? The Irish/Sunday Independent? The Irish Examiner? The Star? The Irish Daily Mail? RTE? I’d hardly call one article a week from Fintan O’Toole a ‘leftist-dominated commentariat’.
When you count up the amount of money he now admits to getting, it is a huge sum for a “man of the people”, is it not?
I believe his explanation is not believeable, and this adds more justification to my suspicions.
It looks like you can drop the “allegedly”, Cian. According to RTE, Berite has admitted that not only did Celia receive £30,000, but that the money was a stamp duty issue, it went towards refurbishment, and that it was totally appropiate – the transport of £30,000 in cash on a commercial airline. $30,000! Did she have a bodyguard? Was it checked in? Hand luggage? If so, was it opened by the staff?
As it was “allegedly” spent on the house, that still leaves £50,000 in cash in a safe. As PATSH points out, add on the £60,000 from Manchester, and that’s over £100,000 IN CASH floating around the Taoiseach – that’s significantly more than a year’s salary for a government minister in 1994 IN CASH – in a party were millions floated around, unchecked, unbalanced, unaccountable.
It stinks worse than the lane next to Wynn’s hotel.
I think the election now has its first classic phrase with Bertie’s “Stamp Duty Issue.” Another question: why so much sterling floating around this period? The Minister for Finance up until late 1994 carrying on extensive dealings in a foreign currency. With apologies for self-linking, here’s a little timeline of punt devaluations from when Bertie had his office on Merrion Square.
Looks like de Bert is stuck with Celia – she knows too much to be let loose.
So what happens to Mistress Bogle?
Obviouly she has been dumped, just like he shafted his wife; Charlie McCreevy & Seamus Brennan.
What a leader!
What a load of camel droppings we’ve elected to lead.
Bring in lie-detector tests and let’s have accountability from this Man of Straw.
£30,000 on stamp duty? in those days that was nearly the price of a house.
Good point Dan. It was sterling, so it WAS the price of a house.
Can anyone explain how it could be a “stamp duty issue” when de Bert was only renting the house from Mr. Wall. It sure explains how de Bert went to ground yesterday !
Its beyond belief the stuff this guy is getting away with.
ST£30,000 in cash, and Pinnochio starts bleating that its appropriate.
The only people who deal with cash in this manner are crooks.
Rabbitte, Kenny and Sargent should be making this THE issue of the election,
how the Finance Minister/”Leader of the Country”™ dealt with his “personal” finances like some mafiosi bagman…
Maybe we are looking at a prime example of money laundering here. Hot money recycled into nice cool redecoration, without passing through an inconvenient bank account. I don’t know how Joe Burke missed out on the job. Might have kept his building business alive a little longer.
what happened to mike wall