TWO months after he died, the Moriarty tribunal has finally concluded a nine-year investigation into the finances of Charles Haughey and written to his family detailing its findings.

The Irish public, which is facing a bill of more than €30m for the inquiry, will have to wait several more months for the report. But the tribunal has sent letters to a number of witnesses outlining what criticisms of them Justice Moriarty intends to make.

Among those who will have heard from the tribunal is Bertie Ahern, the taoiseach, who was called to give evidence about why he signed blank cheques for Haughey. Some were used to buy Charvet shirts in Paris and to purchase expensive meals at Le Coq Hardi restaurant in Dublin.

In his evidence to the tribunal, Ahern said signing blank cheques was normal procedure because nobody ever suspected Haughey was using the Fianna Fail leader’s account for anything other than party purposes.

In an apparent attempt to take the sting out of the tribunal findings by leaking them, it is reported today that Ahern is to be criticised for signing blank cheques.

But sources close to the taoiseach are saying he is “not unduly concerned” about Moriarty’s finding, believing it to be “minor enough”.

Tribunals do not have to tell people in advance that they are making negative conclusions about them, but it is understood that Justice Moriarty has decided he will follow this procedure. Those who are to be criticised, including Ahern, are given about one month to respond.

The tribunal is likely to be severely critical of Haughey’s acceptance while in office of more than €10m in gifts from a number of businessmen, such as Seamus Purcell, PV Doyle and Patrick Gallagher.

Following his death last June, it will now fall to Haughey’s family to challenge whatever findings Moriarty makes.

Times Recommends

• Rio Tinto four held as China prepares case
• Diplomats must keep heads down and trousers up
• When in Rome should one make like Berlusconi?