Senator says Dunlop may have created 'scenarios'

Fianna Fáil senator Mr Don Lydon has likened Mr Frank Dunlop's allegations about bribery to false scenarios created in sexual abuse cases.

Mr Lydon, a psychologist, said Mr Dunlop was "very narcissistic" and may have created "scenarios" because he couldn't tolerate the fact that he had been "caught out".

He made the remarks after being asked whether he was accusing Mr Dunlop of lying about an allegation that the lobbyist paid him a bribe of £3,000 in May 1992.

"I'd never call him a liar and I never will," Mr Lydon replied, before going on to suggest an explanation based on his experience of dealing with sexual abuse cases.

"I deal with cases of sexual abuse a lot. People create scenarios. He may have created scenarios."

However, Mr Dunlop's counsel, Mr Colm Allen SC, said the "unfortunate theorising" by the witness was "a step too far" because it appeared to link Mr Dunlop to sexual abuse issues.

Mr Justice Flood said it was "a simple example - end of story" and should be allowed "drift into the mists of time".

Mr Lydon said he had no intention of impugning Mr Dunlop. He wasn't linking him in any way to sexual abuse. He was talking about memory rather than anything else.

The witness said Mr Dunlop's allegations about him were "appalling".

"Shocking" things had been written in newspapers. Some people would never believe him. He had had to face patients after his face appeared on the television.

Mr Lydon said he couldn't have met Mr Dunlop in his office in St John of Gods in Stillorgan as alleged on May 1st, 1992, because he spent the day at a conference in Dún Laoghaire.

According to Mr John Gallagher SC, for the tribunal, the witness could have driven back to his office in 15 to 17 minutes. However, Mr Lydon said it would take half-an-hour. He had checked the weather that day and it had rained heavily. The traffic on a Friday afternoon would be very heavy.

Mr Dunlop has claimed he paid the money to Mr Lydon in Stillorgan on the following Monday, but Mr Lydon said this couldn't have happened. He never scheduled meetings on Monday mornings because he was busy with clinical visits.

On that day he attended a funeral, then drove to a meeting at the Institute of European Affairs in the city centre. Later that day he met President Robinson.

Asked if he kept a desk diary, Mr Lydon said he didn't. He threw away each year's pocket diary after use. His secretary didn't keep a diary for him or make appointments.

He said he couldn't remember who his Seanad secretary was in 1992; she was a "small waify-like one" who had gone to England.

Mr Lydon was "very happy" to have signed the motion to rezone the Paisley Park land for industry in May 1992. He'd do it again today if asked.

He rejected the assertion by council officials that there was enough industrial-zoned land in the area. It "didn't matter" what the manager said, because the only places in Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown that were suitable for an industrial park were Cherrywood or the Paisley Park lands.

Mr Gallagher pointed out that three weeks earlier Mr Lydon had supported a proposal to rezone the Paisley Park lands for houses. The two proposals were "mutually exclusive".

However, Mr Lydon denied that he was trying to "ride two horses".

"I should be complimented for my far-sightedness instead of the opposite," he said.

He said he asked Mr Dunlop who owned the land but the names he was given meant nothing to him.

There was a rumour that Mr Liam Lawlor was involved, but when he asked Mr Lawlor in the Dáil bar the former TD said he knew nothing about the matter.