Dunlop admits conspiring to give tribunal false evidence

Mr Frank Dunlop has admitted conspiring with a former Fianna Fáil councillor, Mr Seán Gilbride, to give false evidence to the tribunal after it was set up.

Mr Dunlop alleges that Mr Gilbride was one of a number of politicians with whom he discussed the evidence they would give when called to the tribunal. This was before Mr Dunlop changed tack and admitted bribing politicians three years ago.

Even before the tribunal was formed, Mr Dunlop says he discussed it with Mr Gilbride. He said the politician was annoyed that the tribunal had been established because he was a friend of Mr Ray Burke.

They discussed the Luton-born developer, Mr Tom Gilmartin, and Mr Gilbride said he would "scatter allegations in all directions" and implicate a great many people.

But he would not be taken seriously because everyone would "sing from the same hymn-sheet".

Later, when Mr Dunlop admitted to the tribunal in 2000 he had bribed politicians, he said Mr Gilbride attempted to contact him by phone. However, his wife refused to connect the politician.

He said Mr Gilbride invariably used the expression "it will cost you" when asking for money to support a rezoning motion. In the case of the Fox and Mahony lands currently under investigation by the tribunal, the councillor asked for £2,000 and he paid it, Mr Dunlop said.

In denying the payment to the tribunal, Mr Gilbride has indicated that his contact with Mr Dunlop was slight.

Mr Dunlop said yesterday, however, this was "absolutely contrary to the facts".