Architect Tim Rowe has denied involving Frank Dunlop in an attempted land rezoning in north county Dublin in which the lobbyist alleges he bribed a councillor, writes Paul Cullen
The tribunal yesterday resumed hearings in the Walls module of its investigations, in which Mr Dunlop alleges he paid former Fianna Fáil county councillor Seán Gilbride £1,000 in 1993 in a failed attempt to rezone land in Kinsealy owned by Walls Property.
This followed the completion by the tribunal on Monday of the Monarch module, which lasted nine weeks.
Mr Rowe was a director and shareholder of Pilgrim Group, a small architectural practice.
It was engaged by businessman Paul Walls to design a housing scheme for his land in Kinsealy.
Yesterday, he denied introducing Mr Dunlop to Mr Walls and said he had never introduced Mr Dunlop to any client.
Mr Walls has told the tribunal he believed Mr Rowe or Tim Collins, the marketing director of Pilgrim, introduced him to the lobbyist.
However, Mr Rowe said he didn't know who had effected the introduction.
He said he had no recollection of any involvement in meeting councillors about the rezoning of the land .
As the architect, he said, he was "out of the picture completely" in relation to contacts with councillors.
Des Richardson was also a director of Pilgrim, he said, although he didn't think Mr Richardson invested any money in the firm.
Mr Richardson had a good track record with the bank and gave stability to the firm.
In 1992, Pilgrim disbanded and he and Mr Collins went to work for the Ambrose Kelly group, he said.
Mr Rowe said that he felt that a development of exclusive houses on the Kinsealy land would be financially successful.
There was huge demand in the area for one-off housing but this was being resisted by the planners.
The only way a one-off house would get planning permission was by a Section 4 voted by the councillors, who often felt compelled to do this because the planners offered no hope.
Pilgrim's proposal aimed to provide a planned solution to the demand for one-off housing, thereby eliminating the "scourge" of ribbon development.
Mr Rowe made the initial submission to the council for the rezoning, but he said this was the end of his involvement.
He said Mr Walls, who appeared to have more knowledge of zoning procedures, took "the whole thing under his arm and ran with that ball".
Mr Dunlop has alleged that Mr Walls and Mr Collins were aware that money would have to be paid to councillors for their support.
Mr Walls and Mr Collins deny the allegation, while Mr Gilbride says that any payments he got from Mr Dunlop were political contributions.
Mr Dunlop and Mr Walls give evidence today.