Councillors deny taking bribes from Dunlop

The Flood tribunal has heard further denials from a number of former Dublin county councillors that they received bribes from Mr Frank Dunlop in the 1990s in return for planning favours.

Mr Dunlop claims he gave over £25,000 to nine councillors for their support of a motion to rezone land in Carrickmines owned by Paisley Park in 1992, and also in relation to a second vote in 1997, when the land was owned by Jackson Way.

Cllr Liam Cosgrave, the former Fine Gael TD and senator who is alleged to have accepted more than £15,000 from Mr Dunlop, said he took "grave exception" to the "innuendo and malicious rumour" that he took money to influence decisions. Mr Cosgrave accepted he had voted in favour of both motions but did so because he believed the development would bring jobs to the area.

However, he admitted in a statement he had been given a number of " bona fidepolitical donations" by Mr Dunlop at the time of the General Election in 1992, the Seanad elections in 1993 and 1997, and the local council elections in 1999. "Mr Dunlop said at the time that these were political donations and had nothing to do with planning matters," Mr Cosgrave said in his statement.

This detailed statement was only submitted to the tribunal following a lengthy correspondence, spanning over 18 months, demanding full disclosure from Mr Cosgrave. He eventually provided the statement after Mr Justice Flood served a witness summons compelling him to appear in person and give evidence in March, 2001.

Independent Cllr John O'Halloran, who was expelled from the Labour Party, admitted "personally soliciting" £2,500 from Mr Dunlop ahead of the Dún Laoghaire by-election in 1996. This went on campaign expenses and had nothing to do with planning, he insisted.

Mr Tony Fox, a Fianna Fáil councillor, also denied accepting bribes, insisting he had voted in favour of rezoning the land because he felt it would create employment. He also insisted landowners, developers and lobbyists had no role in council business or decisions.

Another Independent councillor, Mr Colm McGrath, accepted he had been given a number of "unconditional political donations", ranging from £500 to £2,000, from Mr Dunlop. This was used for day-to-day constituency and election expenses, he said. Mr Dunlop claims he gave him £2,000 to vote for rezoning the land at Carrickmines.

The former Government press secretary also alleged that two Fine Gael council members, Ms Olivia Mitchell and Ms Therese Ridge, had approached him in 1992, offering their support for the Paisley Park motion on condition he assured them Mr Liam Lawlor was not involved.

The tribunal heard today that Ms Mitchell did not vote for the motion, nor a subsequent motion on the land in 1997, and that she had no recollection of ever being canvassed by Mr Dunlop. Ms Ridge had no recollection either, insisting it all is said to have occurred over a decade ago.