Gilmartin makes new allegations against top politicians

Mr Tom Gilmartin, the property developer who claims he gave Mr Padraig Flynn a £50,000 cheque, has made fresh allegations against a number of senior politicians and other public figures.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr Gilmartin said the new charges had the potential to bring down the Government.

The allegations are contained in unsigned statements which Mr Gilmartin has made to the Flood tribunal. These will form the basis of the next phase of the tribunal to begin in February. He confirmed yesterday that he would be attending the hearings.

"Everything I say is backed up by fact and independent confirmation. In fact, the tribunal don't need me now," he said.

Tribunal lawyers investigating Mr Gilmartin's allegations have built up a detailed picture of the financial transactions of his companies.

"One million pounds was taken out of my company's account without my knowledge," the 64-year-old property developer claimed yesterday.

Mr Gilmartin claimed attempts had been made to "noble" witnesses due to give evidence to the tribunal next year. He also said his phone calls to and from Ireland were being tapped.

Mr Gilmartin, from Lislary, Co Sligo, made a fortune in property development in the UK before returning to Ireland in the 1980s. His objective was to develop the State's largest shopping centre at Quarryvale in west Dublin as well as another project at Bachelors Walk.

He says he pressed his case at meetings with senior Fianna Fail figures including the Taoiseach at the time, Mr Charles Haughey, the present Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, Mr Flynn and Mr Brian Lenihan. Mr Gilmartin alleges he was introduced to these ministers by the Fianna Fail TD, Mr Liam Lawlor. Mr Lawlor denies this.

However, both projects foundered and Quarryvale was ultimately developed by the Cork-based developer, Mr Owen O'Callaghan, as the Liffey Valley Centre.

He refused to say whether the Taoiseach is mentioned in his statements. "All I'll say is that if Ireland is to be cleaned up we'll probably have to have a change of government."

He accused politicians of undermining the tribunals. "They're working overtime at it," he said.

Regarding the alleged £50,000 payment to Mr Flynn in June 1989, Mr Gilmartin said this was a political donation to Fianna Fail, and not a bribe. Mr Flynn was "not the worst of them".

Fianna Fail says it never received the money. Mr Flynn has said he will explain all to the tribunal.

Mr Gilmartin said yesterday: "I was being held to ransom for millions by boys a lot cuter than him. The donation was paid because I was told it would help to curb the activities of these boys."

The tribunal hearings on his allegations are expected to follow a more traditional legal procedure than that applied to this year's sittings on Mr James Gogarty's allegations.

Whereas Mr Gogarty, because of his age and ill health, gave his evidence first, Mr Gilmartin's evidence will be preceded by an opening statement from tribunal lawyers who will then produce the evidence they have gathered.