Updated 1pm

GARDAÍ HAVE SAID this afternoon that there is no ongoing investigation into the possibility that the Moriarty tribunal judge’s personal phone line was tapped just a week before he issued his damning report.

The landline of Justice Michael Moriarty at his office in Dublin Castle was examined by Gardaí along with other phones and technical equipment in the Tribunal office complex, RTE reported yesterday evening.

No evidence of interference was found within the tribunal complex and Gardaí moved to play down reports of any wrongdoing saying they regularly carry out security checks in State offices and buildings.

A statement added:

An Garda Síochána has found no evidence of interference with the telephone system at these offices and consequently there is no ongoing investigation into the matter.

Their initial checks began in the days leading up to the publication of the report but were kept secret in line with Garda policy until reports emerged last night, the Irish Independent reported earlier.

The fall out from the  publication of the Moriarty Tribunal’s report last week continues with former Taoiseach John Bruton yesterday reported to have ‘refused’ to investigate the allegations surrounding the awarding of the Esat licence in the 90s.

Fine Gael is likely to face questions this week as the Dáil debates the findings of the report.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been forced to defend his special advisor Mark Kenelly who previously worked for Tipperary TD Michael Lowry who was implicated in the report.