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TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was facing a rebellion this week over grassroots unhappiness with his leadership in the wake of the latest Mahon Tribunal revelations.

Questioned as he left the Easter Rising commemorations in Dublin about the contradictions between his evidence to the tribunal and last week’s testimony by his former secretary about lodgments to his building society Mr Ahern declined to answer.

All he said was: “Sometime during the week, maybe.”

Reports suggested the Taoiseach was facing a challenge from within the parliamentary party.

They followed comments from several councillors who spoke of concern about their prospects in next year’s local elections if Mr Ahern was still in charge.

But junior minister Dick Roche strongly rejected notions of a challenge.

He said: “I have heard nothing about it.

“I don’t believe it’s the truth. I attend all the parliamentary party meetings and have very close relations with the members.

“I have not come across anybody saying anything about it.

“Mr Ahern has the support of the parliamentary party. He has the respect of the rank and file membership. There is huge affection for Bertie Ahern, huge support.”

His comments came after former constituency secretary Gráinne Carruth told the Mahon Tribunal into planning corruption about substantial sterling lodgments to Mr Ahern’s accounts in 1994.