Former minister for health Dr John O'Connell told the tribunal he had no knowledge of any minister seeking or receiving a financial inducement in relation to the granting of passports to friends of the late Mahmoud Fustok.
Dr O'Connell was giving evidence in relation to the tribunal's ongoing inquiry into the granting of citizenship to 15 Lebanese and Palestinian people in the early to mid-1980s. All were connected to the wealthy bloodstock breeder Mr Fustok, who died on February 9th, when he was hit by a vehicle while jogging in the US.
In 1985 Dr O'Connell, who sponsored all the applications for citizenship being investigated, conveyed £50,000 from Mr Fustok to Mr Haughey. Files viewed by the tribunal show Mr Haughey took an interest in the applications for naturalisation and in one instance authorised it.
Dr O'Connell told Jerry Healy SC, for the tribunal, that at the time he conveyed the money to Mr Haughey, he was not told what it was for.
"He said I owe Mr Haughey £50,000 but I don't have his address. It wasn't my business to ask him why he owed him."
He said he discussed the matter with Mr Fustok a number of times, including two days before Mr Fustok died. Mr Fustok had said it could have been for a horse or for a share in a stallion, but he couldn't remember.
Dr O'Connell said he had introduced Mr Fustok to Eimear Haughey in 1980 when he was in Ireland buying horses. Mr Fustok was invited to Mr Haughey's home in Abbeville and Dr O'Connell went there the next day with Mr Fustok.
A "seemingly very famous" veterinary surgeon was in the house at the time and asked Mr Fustok if he would like to buy shares in a stallion, Artaius. Mr Fustok said yes.
Dr O'Connell said that on the way out, he asked Mr Fustok if it was a good stallion. "He just shrugged the shoulders. I think he felt he couldn't say no."
Mr Healy said that was in 1980 but the £50,000 payment was in 1985. "Yes, you're quite right," said Dr O'Connell.
He said he knew Mr Fustok had bought the shares in the stallion in 1980. He could have bought a horse (from Mr Haughey) in 1984, but he did not know.
"There was only one £50,000. There was only one transaction involving me. That's why I think there only was one. There could have been more."
Mr Healy asked if it had ever crossed Dr O'Connell's mind that the payment to Mr Haughey could have been connected with the citizenship applications.
"You could be influenced by reading about the other funds [received by Mr Haughey] but I am not judgmental and you could give him the benefit of the doubt," Dr O'Connell said. "It did cross my mind."
