Mr James Gogarty denied yesterday that his evidence that Mr George Redmond had said at a meeting that he had "stuck his neck out" over Turvey House was an invention.
Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for JMSE, said that a dispute broke out between Dublin County Council and the Office of Public Works after the demolition of Turvey House, a listed building, at Donabate, Dublin. He suggested it was only when that happened and because of his senior position in Dublin County Council that Mr Redmond became involved.
Mr Gogarty said he did not know.
Mr Cooney said Mr Gogarty was the one who told them in his evidence that Mr Redmond had stuck his neck out in relation to Turvey House.
"Now I'm putting it to you, Mr Gogarty, that there is no question of Mr Redmond sticking his neck out, but that when this dispute arose between the OPW and Dublin County Council, in the proper exercise of his functions, he prepared memoranda and he communicated with the OPW . . . now isn't that the position?"
"No," replied Mr Gogarty.
Mr Cooney asked: "You disagree?"
"I disagree, yes," Mr Gogarty replied.
He said he did not want to do any harm to any man. "I am only telling you what he said, that he stuck his neck out. He will have to explain that himself." He said that he was quoting what Mr Redmond said in their presence [at the meeting in Clontarf Castle].
Mr Cooney said: "I put it to you that he couldn't possibly have said that, Mr Gogarty, because he did not in the meaning attached to those words stick his neck out or have to stick his neck out about anything."
Mr Gogarty said that was for Mr Redmond to say and to prove.
Mr Cooney suggested that on the evidence furnished by documentation his ascription to Mr Redmond of the phrase or the term "sticking his neck out" was an invention.
Mr Gogarty replied: "Sure God, we got on to that the other day about inventions, you know, it is not an invention, that's all I'm saying."
Mr Cooney said there were also concerns expressed by the elected representatives of the council about demolition and it was considered at a number of meetings of the council and sub-committees.
"And that Mr Redmond in the courses of his duties had to inform the elected county councillors of the background to the case and the controversy, isn't that right?" asked Mr Cooney.
"You will have to ask Mr Redmond that," Mr Gogarty said.
Mr Cooney said: "You don't know that, do you?"
"I wouldn't know what is going on in Mr Redmond's head, I wouldn't know that, no," Mr Gogarty replied.
Mr Cooney said: "I suggest to you it was abundantly clear from these documents that that's as far as Mr Redmond's involvement in this matter goes, and that could not justify him saying to you that he had to stick his neck out in relation to Turvey House in anyway which could be regarded as conferring a favour on you or the Murphy Group."
"I didn't seek a favour," Mr Gogarty said.
Mr Cooney suggested that he [Mr Gogarty] told the tribunal about this in such a way as to suggest that Mr Redmond was doing something which was discreditable.
"I completely reject your suggestion," Mr Gogarty replied.