Dunlop claims Lawlor involved in Carrickmines

The Flood Tribunal has heard allegations that former Dublin West TD Mr Liam Lawlor was involved in attempts to secure rezoning for land at Carrickmines.

In a written statement to the tribunal, lobbyist and former Government press secretary Mr Frank Dunlop said land belonging to offshore company Paisley Park - subsequently rezoned when under the ownership of Jackson Way in 1997 - was owned by Mr James Kennedy and Mr John Caldwell. But he said there "was always a suspicion" that a third party was involved. This person was named by Mr Dunlop as Mr Lawlor.

Mr Dunlop's statement - supplied to the tribunal in October 2000 and read today by Mr John Gallagher, SC - went on to allege Mr Lawlor was involved in drafting a motion to Dublin County Council in 1992 that would route the Southeastern Motorway (M50) through Paisley Park lands at Carrickmines, Co Dublin. This particular motion was subsequently defeated.

Mr Dunlop also told the tribunal a "system" existed within Dublin County Council whereby a "nexus" of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independent councillors actively sought payment to ensure that planning decisions were secured.

Mr Dunlop said he was telephoned in January 1991 by solicitor Mr Caldwell, who asked him to meet Mr Kennedy over the possibility of rezoning lands owned by Paisley Park Investments Ltd.

Mr Dunlop met Mr Kennedy at his amusement arcade on Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, and discussed rezoning the Paisley Park lands, which Mr Kennedy described as an offshore company registered in the Isle of Man. Mr Lawlor had "an ongoing interest" in the company that was registered offshore on Mr Kennedy's advice, he claims he was told.

Mr Dunlop asserted Mr Kennedy was "aware that it would cost him money". He says he was given £25,000 by Mr Kennedy to ensure that the land was rezoned, adding that he was promised a £100,000 "success fee" if the land was rezoned.

Mr Dunlop claims he then canvassed a number of Dublin County councillors - with the help of Mr Lawlor - seeking their support for a motion to rezone the land. This would involve routing the proposed M50 motorway through lands owned by Paisley Park, hugely increasing them in value.

Mr Dunlop said he gave £15,000 to a total of nine different councillors to support a motion drafted with the assistance of Mr Lawlor that would rezone 108 acres of land owned by Paisley Park. Mr Don Lydon and Mr Tom Hand, the two signatories, were each given £3,000, Mr Dunlop claimed.

Mr Dunlop claims he was later approached by two Fine Gael county councillors, Ms Olivia Mitchell TD and former Fine Gael Senator, Ms Therese Ridge, who offered their support on condition that Mr Lawlor was not involved.

There was no suggestion they asked for or were paid any money. They eventually supported the motion, but it was defeated by two votes in June 1992.

After Paisley Park was liquidated in 1993, the lands passed into the ownership of Jackson Way properties. Mr Dunlop said it was his understanding "that Mr Lawlor retained an interest in Jackson Way".

He alleges he then entered a new agreement with Mr Kennedy to try to have the property rezoned and was offered £250,000 if he succeeded. This was to be paid by way of "one commercial acre" of the rezoned land. Mr Dunlop says he then paid Fine Gael's Mr Liam Cosgrave and Mr Tony Fox of Fianna Fáil £5,000 each - "which would have been asked for" - to support a new motion.

All of the councillors involved have denied receiving improper payments from Mr Dunlop, describing them as political contributions, the tribunal heard. However, Mr Dunlop claims many of the payments were deliberately paid at election time as a "helpful coincidence" that would disguise them as election contributions.

It was important to note, Mr Gallagher said, that none of the allegations had been proven. He warned the media not to "make premature judgment" on any witness until all the evidence "has been properly and fairly tested".