Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Mary O'Rourke Photocall Ireland

Mary O'Rourke putting the Banking Inquiry "under notice" about Brian Lenihan evidence

Mary O’Rourke and Conor Lenihan have information they believe may be useful to the committee.

Updated at 10.16am

MARY O’ROURKE HAS said she wants to put the Banking Inquiry “on notice” that she and other members of the late Brian Lenihan’s family will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in the coming months.

The former Education Minister, an aunt of the late finance minister, has written to the Banking Inquiry committee along with her nephew, Conor Lenihan, a former minister of state and brother of Brian.

She said she and Conor Lenihan may have information useful to the committee which is not in the public domain – although she added several times in the course of a Morning Ireland interview today that she had “no desire” personally to appear before the Inquiry.

Asked whether she had any documents or other records that might be useful, as the committee carried out its work, she said she didn’t “but I have a memory like everybody else, and I am lucky in that it is a very good memory”.

“We wished to put the committee under notice that we will be following events and listening obviously, and reading what the various witnesses to the committee will be saying.”

Brian Lenihan Dail Scenes Brian Lenihan Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

The Banking Inquiry is expected to hear from ex-taoiseach Brian Cowen and former finance minister Charlie McCreevy sometime in July. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern is also expected to be asked to appear.

Speaking at the weekend, Cowen told reporters that there had been no question that he overruled Brian Lenihan when his minister of finance said that Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide should be nationalised in 2008.

Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan had previously told the Inquiry that Lenihan was overruled on the issue – not saying by whom specifically, but noting he was “not the senior politician in the room”.

Asked whether she or Conor Lenihan might have any input on that issue, O’Rourke said “that may emerge”.

“That may emerge in the evidence that the past Taoiseach will give, that Brian Cowen will give. It may be amplified. Perhaps Patrick Honohan wishes to amplify what he said, so we will be watching those matters very carefully in the interests of fair play.”

She added that she was “well aware” of limits placed on evidence concerning a person who is deceased.

O’Rourke said her letter to the clerk of the committee had been sent before Cowen gave his doorstep interview on Friday night.

On the general question of what her late nephew told her about his input to the government’s handling of the banking crash she said ”he did confide in me, of course he did – I was very close to him.”

“So he confided many things in me as he did to his brother, Conor Lenihan.”

Read: Brian Cowen made a rare public appearance, and was asked about the banking crash

Read: Brian Cowen won’t be at the banking inquiry until July – and it’s already cost €2m

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
74 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Smyth
    Favourite Thomas Smyth
    Report
    Apr 23rd 2022, 3:48 PM

    Not looking good. Best of luck to all involved.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Skipper Mac
    Favourite Skipper Mac
    Report
    Apr 23rd 2022, 4:45 PM

    If the boat was licensed to carry that amount of passengers than it should have adequate life rafts and life jackets aboard. Hopefully they had time to get off safely before boat capsized.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kenny
    Favourite Alan Kenny
    Report
    Apr 23rd 2022, 7:16 PM

    @Skipper Mac: Everyone was wearing a life jacket and if they got on a life boat they may have drifted. If they all got off before it sank they have a chance of being found but no chance being alive if just in cold waters after 8 hours and not a life raft

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Casey
    Favourite Pat Casey
    Report
    Apr 24th 2022, 11:09 AM

    10 dead and 16 missing, not looking good for anyone at the moment. May they Rest in Peace.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Gale
    Favourite Rob Gale
    Report
    Apr 24th 2022, 7:29 PM

    The captain sounds like a total flute. Ran them aground in shallow waters before, and now ignored calls to not go out, while passing all the fishing boats returning to shore coz it wasn’t safe. Went on ahead anyway. He should’ve been sacked long ago, and now he’s responsible for 26 people dying. The tour company need to get investigated big time. Might’ve been them who told him to plough on ahead coz they didn’t wanna issue refunds,

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds