Reynolds declared unfit for Mahon evidence

Mahon tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon has said former taoiseach Albert Reynolds will not be called to give evidence in the…

Mahon tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon has said former taoiseach Albert Reynolds will not be called to give evidence in the Quarryvale II module due to a "significant cognitive impairment".

Mr Reynolds had been listed to appear on at least three times and was dropped from the list on each occasion.

Judge Mahon said today Mr Reynolds's representatives had told the tribunal that based on the evidence of Mr Reynolds’s GP and two medical consultants, he was unfit to give further evidence.

He said the tribunal then engaged its own two medical consultants to conduct independent medical examinations.

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"Having been presented with detailed information from the five medical experts, including the two consultants engaged by the tribunal and their essentially unanimous opinion that Mr Reynolds has a significant cognitive impairment which renders him medically unfit to give evidence to this tribunal at this time or within the foreseeable future," Judge Mahon said.

He also said the tribunal had decided to "reserve the right to review this decision in the event that it receives information which might suggest a change or an improvement in Mr Reynolds' medical condition".

Mr Reynolds was due to be questioned about his dealings with Cork property developer Owen O’Callaghan, who has been giving evidence in Dublin Castle for a number of weeks.

The planning inquiry finishes sittings for the summer today and resumes again on September 15th. It is expected to conclude its work before the end of the year.

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland is a crime writer and former Irish Times journalist