MN News Review Thursday 8 May 2008

The shocking loss of life in Burma continues to be the main world news story, and also the difficulties in getting aid in given the resistence of the military dictatorship to offers of aid except for the UN. The constitutional referendum planned for Saturday that would have perpetuated the regime has been postponed.

Hilary Clinton's campaign appears to be fading and an Obama victory now seems highly likely. Clinton has lent her campaign a further €4. million.

In Ireland, it is the first day of work for the new Cabinet.

The High Court has ordered the state to produce documents of the McEntee Commission of Investigation into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings sought by relatives of the victims. The State had opposed disclosure citing risk to the lives of persons who had given information. (page 4, IT)

Peter Bacon giving evidence to the Moriarty Tribunal again said he found a change in the methodology used by the evaluation team of the mobile phone licence competition was "strange" and "wrong". (page 5, IT)

Discussion of the Morris Tribunal report, released yesterday, continues. The arrest of Frank McBrearty has been found to be unlawful. It was also found that Gards had physically abused and threatened "suspects", obstructed solicitors, and that no proper notes were kept of interviews. The Commissioner apologised for the "mistreatment".

Source of all stories, today's Irish Times.

Please add any news items you think are important.

Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach, has won his case against the Mahon Tribunal.

The case centred around (i) the Constitutional imperative that TD's should not be made amenable to any body in respect of utterances made in the dail, (ii) the Tribunal's failure to disclose documents in line with the Tribunal's obligation to treat witnesses fairly, and (iii) the right of a Tribunal witness to litigation privilege in respect of communications with experts consulted by them for the purposes analysing tribunal evidence.

This will limit the scope of the Tribunal questioning and will save Mr. Ahern from any accusations of having taken the case to delay the tribunal. Mr. Ahern has been more vocal in his criticisms of the Tribunal since Mr. Ahern announced his resignation. This High Court decision will make it difficult for the Tribunal to confront Mr. Ahern in relation to these overt criticisms.

It is not yet known how much legal fees have been incurred in this case. It is thought it is unlikely there will be an appeal given that three Judges heard and decided the case in the High Court .

Zhou_Enlai wrote:

Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach, has won his case against the Mahon Tribunal.

The case centred around (i) the Constitutional imperative that TD's should not be made amenable to any body in respect of utterances made in the dail, (ii) the Tribunal's failure to disclose documents in line with the Tribunal's obligation to treat witnesses fairly, and (iii) the right of a Tribunal witness to litigation privilege in respect of communications with experts consulted by them for the purposes analysing tribunal evidence.

This will limit the scope of the Tribunal questioning and will save Mr. Ahern from any accusations of having taken the case to delay the tribunal. Mr. Ahern has been more vocal in his criticisms of the Tribunal since Mr. Ahern announced his resignation. This High Court decision will make it difficult for the Tribunal to confront Mr. Ahern in relation to these overt criticisms.

It is not yet known how much legal fees have been incurred in this case. It is thought it is unlikely there will be an appeal given that three Judges heard and decided the case in the High Court .

Did he win on all three counts?

The Tribunal gave in on sharing the documents at the court hearing. Bertie won on the other points in the judgement. The Tribunal may not refer to his Dail statements when questioning him though they may refer to them in the report. They are not allowed to see the Paddy Stronge documents.