A FORMER councillor charged with accepting money to vote for rezoning of lands in Carrickmines in Dublin, was remanded on bail in his absence yesterday after a court heard he is in hospital.
Sean Gilbride (69), Greenlawns, Skerries, Dublin, replied “not guilty” when he was charged on October 23rd last. He allegedly received a sum at the offices of former government press secretary and lobbyist Frank Dunlop on June 11th, 1992, as an inducement to or as a reward for voting in favour of rezoning of 108 acres of land in Carrickmines.
Mr Gilbride had been remanded on bail to appear at Dublin District Court to be served with a book of evidence. The DPP had directed trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Patrick McMahon heard Mr Gilbride could not be served with the book evidence as he is in Beaumont Hospital. He remanded him, in his absence, to appear on December 9th.
Last month, businessman Jim Kennedy, who is accused of corrupt payments to politicians, was returned for trial, in relation to an attempted rezoning of land owned by Jackson Way Properties at Carrickmines in 1992, and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.
Four former politicians charged with taking bribes to vote for rezoning land in Carrickmines who have been sent forward for trial are: former FG councillor, TD and senator Liam T Cosgrave (54), Merrion Park, Blackrock, Dublin; former FF councillor Colm McGrath (54), Saggart, Co Dublin; former FF senator and councillor Don Lydon (82), Stillorgan Park Avenue, Dublin, and Ind councillor Tony Fox (70), Mountainview Park, Churchtown, Dublin.