BREAKING: North-West Kilkenny TD Michael Lowry issues statement after gardaí send file to DPP

TD for Tipperary North and North-West Kilkenny, Michael Lowry has issued a statement after gardaí confirmed a file relating to its investigations around the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Last year, it was reported that Deputy Lowry was interviewed by gardaí from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) who are investigating matters related to the Moriarty Tribunal.

The tribunal was set up in 1997 to examine payments made to former Taoiseach Charles Haughey and Deputy Lowry.

In 2011, it found that Deputy Lowry, a former Fine Gael TD, helped businessman Denis O’Brien secure a mobile phone licence in 1995.

The Tribunal also criticised his behaviour as “profoundly corrupt”.

Gardaí confirmed on Thursday that a file relating to its investigations around the findings of the Tribunal has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

READ NEXT: Is the end of the Kilkenny cold snap in sight?

In a statement on Thursday evening, Deputy Lowry said: "I learnt, with surprise, from newspaper reports Thursday morning that it has been stated that a file has been sent by An Garda Síochána to the DPP arising from findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.

"Last year, I received a request for assistance from An Garda Siochana. I freely, voluntarily and willingly met with them on one occasion and was fully cooperative.

"This was the only engagement or correspondence I had with the gardai over the fourteen years since the report was published.

"At no point, on that occasion or since, was it suggested that there were or are any charges being contemplated against me.

"I am fully confident that there is no basis for any liability attaching to me.

"All those involved, including myself, have steadfastly maintained that there was no wrongdoing or impropriety attached to the award of the GSM licence, some 29 years ago.

"The award of the licence was made after a fully fair process, which included experienced members of the civil service and independent professional experts.

"Furthermore, the State, through the Chief State Solicitor's office have consistently and vigorously defended the award of the licence in long drawn out speculative civil cases taken by (just) two of the unsuccessful applicants."