Gilmartin claim 'rubbish' - O'Callaghan

Cork developer Owen O'Callaghan has denied he paid former taoiseach Bertie Ahern £50,000 in mid-1989, describing the allegation as "absolute and total rubbish".

Luton-based developer Tom Gilmartin had alleged Mr O'Callaghan told him he made the payment to ensure Mr Gilmartin was able to acquire Dublin Corporation land at Irishtown West Dublin, which was essential to the Quarryvale development, now the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

Mr O'Callaghan said he did not recall Mr Gilmartin ever even mentioning Mr Ahern's name to him.

Mr Gilmartin said he had complained of interference to Bertie Ahern

Counsel for the tribunal Patricia Dillon SC said Mr Gilmartin sought to buy 69 acres at Irishtown in 1989. The land was at the centre of the Quarryvale development and was essential to the development.

Mr Gilmartin had said he believed he had a deal to purchase the land in early 1989, but due to the interference of the late Liam Lawlor and then assistant manager in Dublin Corporation, George Redmond, the land was put out to public tender.

The corporation received two tenders for the land, one from Mr Gilmartin for £5.1 million and one from Windar Ltd, a company associated with Green Property Ltd, which was developing the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre at the time.

Mr Gilmartin said he complained of the interference to Mr Ahern, who was minister for labour at the time. He said Mr Ahern sent in Joe Burke, then a councillor, to deal with the issue. Mr Burke tabled a motion to accept Mr Gilmartin's tender and the motion was passed.

Mr Gilmartin had alleged that when he told Mr O'Callaghan he trusted Mr Ahern because he had helped him, Mr O'Callaghan said he had paid £50,000 to Mr Ahern to ensure he intervened and prevented Green Property Ltd from getting the land.