Ex-councillors deny taking bribes to rezone

Mahon tribunal: Two more former Dublin county councillors have denied allegations by Frank Dunlop that they took bribes to support the rezoning of land at Ballycullen in south Dublin.

Former Fianna Fáil councillor Colm McGrath acknowledged receiving several political donations from Mr Dunlop, including a cash payment of £2,000 in 1992. However, he denied the lobbyist's claim to have paid him £1,000 in connection with Ballycullen in the same year.

Former Labour councillor John O'Halloran rejected Mr Dunlop's claim that he gave the politician a total of £5,000 in return for his support for several developments, including Ballycullen.

The tribunal is currently investigating Mr Dunlop's allegation that he bribed a total of nine councillors to secure the rezoning of Ballycullen.

It is also examining political donations of over £45,000 made by the landowner, Christopher Jones, and his companies to 20 politicians.

Yesterday, Mr McGrath said he had extensive contact with Mr Dunlop about another development in 1992 but little or no dealings with him on Ballycullen.

Mr Jones has told the tribunal of four donations totalling £1,700 he gave to Mr McGrath at golf and other fundraising functions held between 1992 and 1999.

Mr McGrath, who supported the Ballycullen rezoning, said he had no detailed records to confirm this but he accepted that Mr Jones and his employees had supported his golf classics.

Former councillor John O'Halloran said he never discussed Ballycullen with Mr Dunlop.

Mr Dunlop has claimed that part of a £5,000 composite payment he made to Mr O'Halloran was given in return for his support on Ballycullen.

Mr O'Halloran acknowledged getting £500 from Mr Dunlop sometime between 1991 and 1993 but said this wasn't related to Ballycullen or any specific activity or election.

Mr Dunlop's records show significant levels of contact with Mr O'Halloran around the time of the Ballycullen vote in October 1992. However, Mr O'Halloran said these contacts related to another rezoning at Quarryvale.

Mr Jones has told the tribunal he gave Mr O'Halloran £3,000 for a charity walk in 1992. Mr O'Halloran said he had no recollection of this.

He didn't do any charity walks in 1992, although he did several later. He definitely hadn't received £3,000; if he had, he would have remembered it.

He pointed out that he did not attend the council meeting at which the Ballycullen rezoning was passed. He did vote to confirm the rezoning at a later meeting in October 1993.

Both Mr McGrath and Mr O'Halloran later left their respective parties and stood as independents.

Fine Gael councillor Michael Joe Cosgrave said he had no recollection of receiving a £1,000 donation from Mr Jones. Patricia Dillon SC, for the tribunal, said Mr Cosgrave had a "failure of recollection" at the tribunal relating to a contribution from another developer. She asked whether it was possible that a similar situation pertained in relation to the money Mr Jones says he gave.

Mr Cosgrave repeated that he had no recollection whatsoever, and pointed out that he had kept no records of the political donations he received.

Fianna Fáil councillor Liam Creaven said he had no recollection of a £1,000 payment from Mr Jones.

Tánaiste Mary Harney, who was lobbied on the Ballycullen rezoning but did not vote on the proposal, is due to give evidence to the tribunal this morning.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, who supported the rezoning, will appear at the tribunal tomorrow.