The developer at the heart of one the Mahon Tribunal's main investigations has told the hearing he "never gave a penny" in his life "to Albert Reynolds or Bertie Ahern".

Millionaire developer Owen O'Callaghan reflected similar comments by Mr Ahern himself on Tuesday, vehemently denying the allegations by another Irish construction mogul, Tom Gilmartin, that he had given the former finance minister €30,000 to withhold tax designations from a prospective development site.

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Mr O'Callaghan further insisted that Mr Gilmartin's allegations, made in evidence to the tribunal about payments to both Mr Reynolds and Mr Ahern, were completely made up.

However, following questioning by Judge Gerald Keys, Mr O'Callaghan conceded there was a possibility Mr Gilmartin could have interpreted comments about donations to the Fianna Fail party totalling €100,000 as direct payments rather than donations.

The tribunal heard that the developer was among a number of high earning individuals shortlisted by Fianna Fail to stump up IRE£100,000 to help the party finances in 1993.

Mr Ahern, in his, closing comments at his own appearance at the tribunal earlier this week said he had never taken a bribe throughout his political career.

(DW/JM)