FORMER FINANCIAL CONTROLLER of Fianna Fáil Seán Fleming is to seek an urgent correction to the final report of the Mahon Tribunal which was published today.

The Laois TD issued a statement this evening to confirm he is writing to the tribunal to ensure the correction is made.

Fleming claims that the report – “probably inadvertently” – implies that he was aware of a £50,000 payment to Pádraig Flynn from Tom Gilmartin.

“This is simply not the case,” said Fleming.

There was no suggestion at any time at the Tribunal or at public session that I was aware of Mr. Flynn’s involvement in this matter.  It is also clear from the tribunal’s own findings issued today that while other people were made aware of Mr. Flynn’s involvement, there is no suggestion that I had any knowledge on this matter.

As Financial Controller of the party, Fleming was asked by the tribunal to ascertain if there was a record of a donation to Gilmartin.

“No-one gave evidence suggesting that I had been told that the Gilmartin donation had been made to Padraig Flynn,” explained the TD.

It is clear from the evidence given at the Tribunal that the issue of a donation to Mr. Flynn is not something that I was aware of.  Accordingly I am asking the Tribunal to correct its findings on this issue as a matter of priority.

Despite the correction sought, Fleming said he fully recognised the findings of the tribunal report. The clarification has been asked for as it has “significant consequences” for the TD, both as a serving politician and Chartered Accountant.

See TheJournal.ie‘s full coverage of the Mahon Report>