Developer denies knowing of Dunlop payments

A north Dublin landowner, Paul Walls, has denied knowing that Frank Dunlop planned to make payments to county councillors to get his lands at Kinsealy rezoned.

Mr Dunlop has claimed that Mr Walls knew the lobbyist would be paying money to politicians to get the 54 acres of land rezoned.

Although the subject was not discussed when they met in March 1993, there was no doubt but that Mr Walls knew he would be doing this, Mr Dunlop has alleged.

However, Mr Walls said yesterday there was no suggestion at their meeting that money would be paid to councillors. He wasn't involved in any such proposal.

At the time, he had engaged Mr Dunlop to lobby for the rezoning of the land, on which he planned to build 19 exclusive houses.

Mr Dunlop has alleged he paid Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Gilbride £1,000 to secure the rezoning, although he doesn't know where or when he paid it.

Mr Gilbride told the tribunal yesterday he was absolutely certain he didn't get any money to sign the motion from Mr Dunlop or anyone else.

Asked why Mr Dunlop had picked him out as the recipient of money, Mr Gilbride said he had no idea.

He had been friendly with Mr Dunlop, but this was something he now regretted.

He said he signed the motion as a favour for Mr Walls, even though he didn't think it was a great idea.

He had known Mr Walls since 1973 when they were both members of the Fianna Fáil cumann in Skerries. He spoke to the local councillors in the area but they were not in favour of the proposal, and so his advice was to not move the motion.

In his evidence yesterday, Mr Dunlop said he was sure he had paid Mr Gilbride £1,000.

Mr Walls retained him in January 1993, and he met Mr Gilbride about the matter shortly after.

Other councillors, while not entirely negative, were not enthusiastic about the rezoning, Mr Dunlop said..

Mr Gilbride told him he didn't think the proposal was a runner but agreed to sign the motion anyway.

Mr Gilbride told him "it will cost you" or words to that effect and after a discussion Mr Dunlop agreed a cash payment of £1,000.

Later, he agreed with Mr Gilbride that the rezoning wasn't going to succeed and he advised Mr Walls of this.

They decided to withdraw the motion because it would have been comprehensively defeated.

Mr Quinn pointed out that Mr Dunlop had told the tribunal on two previous occasions that he got £5,000 from Mr Walls.

There was also a £5,000 cash lodgement to one of his accounts around this time.

Was it possible he got £5,000 in cash in addition to the invoiced fee of £2,500 plus VAT?

Mr Dunlop said the only payment he received was £2,500.

He was unable to say where the £5,000 lodgement came from, but this was merely a coincidence.

The tribunal has now completed the Walls module and will not sit again until mid-September.

In a separate ruling, chairman Judge Alan Mahon said the tribunal had acted appropriately in requiring PR consultant Bill O'Herlihy to name Senator Don Lydon in connection with bribery allegations.

Mr O'Herlihy said last month he was told by Monarch Properties executive Richard Lynn that Mr Lydon was paid money to distribute to other councillors in return for their support for the rezoning of Monarch's land at Cherrywood.

Mr Lydon has angrily denied the allegation, describing it as "filth", and earlier this week his lawyers asked the tribunal to rule on its admissibility.

They described the allegation as an unsupported piece of malicious gossip that would affect his chances of re-election in next year's Seanad election.

Yesterday, Judge Mahon ruled the tribunal was entitled to consider the admission of such hearsay evidence.

Mr Lydon would not have been able to challenge the evidence if he had not been named.

The tribunal was satisfied that it had afforded him his legitimate entitlements, Judge Mahon said in his ruling.