Gilmartin accused of 'repeated untruths'

Claims that Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin received a five-figure sum from developer Owen O'Callaghan were not true, counsel for the Minister said yesterday.

Dr John O'Mahony SC accused Luton-based developer Tom Gilmartin of telling "repeated untruths" to the tribunal.

Mr Gilmartin was cross-examined at the planning tribunal by three sets of counsel representing the Minister, former Fianna Fáil press secretary Frank Dunlop, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Mr Gilmartin had alleged that Mr O'Callaghan told him he paid a five-figure sum to the Minister in the early 1990s. He said at the time he was not aware who Mr Martin was, but Mr O'Callaghan had told him he was being groomed to be taoiseach.

Dr O'Mahony asked why he waited until November 2005 to tell the tribunal about the allegation and did not make it during numerous contacts with the tribunal from 1999 to 2005.

Mr Gilmartin said at the time it had not seemed that important.

Dr O'Mahony pointed out that Mr Martin had said he received £6,200 in political donations from Mr O'Callaghan between 1989 and 1993. "Your figure of a five-figure sum is a figment of your imagination, it is a lie."

"Well then, Mr O'Callaghan is the liar," Mr Gilmartin replied.

"How did I know about a five-figure sum, no more than I knew about helicopter rides way back 10 years ago, how did I know?"

Pat Quinn SC, for the tribunal, intervened in the cross-examination to say the Minister had said he paid a further £5,000 to the Atlantic Pond Restoration Fund at the request of Mr O'Callaghan, which would bring the total to a five-figure sum.

Dr O'Mahony argued that the money was paid to the fund through its AIB account and could not be counted as a donation to the Minister.

He accused Mr Gilmartin of being unable to face the truth and of being interested in vengeance.

Mr Gilmartin said he had faced the truth about corruption in Ireland for the last 20 years and paid the price for it.

Apparently referring to a statement made to the press last week by Mr O'Callaghan in which he was criticised, Mr Gilmartin said that people could come in to the tribunal and cross-question him.

"They don't have to start a media campaign to blacken my name outside the tribunal."

Aidan Redmond, counsel for Mr Dunlop, quizzed Mr Gilmartin about his UK bankruptcy, his contacts with the media and his anonymous informants. He asked if he recalled who had advised him in the late 1980s that Mr Dunlop was corrupt.

When Mr Gilmartin answered by saying he had listened to the advice, Mr Redmond said: "Mr Gilmartin, English is not your second language; I asked you for any one name."

Mr Gilmartin said at this point he could not remember names.