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FINE GAEL TD Lucinda Creighton has been accused of attempting to turn the planning hearing on Seán Dunne's high-rise development for Ballsbridge into a "circus" and making "clowns" of the participants.

Ms Creighton appeared at the hearing to support the claims of her colleague Paddy McCartan that Ballsbridge residents were "intimidated" by supporters of Mr Dunne at a public meeting in relation to his high-rise plans. However, Micheál O'Connell, legal representative for Mr Dunne, said her appearance was an attempt to turn the hearing into a circus.