Former EU commissioner Padraig Flynn still hasn't told us whether he was given a £50,000 cheque by developer Tom Gilmartin in June 1989, as Gilmartin has alleged. The Sligo-born developer says it was intended for Fianna Fail; the party says it never got the money.
At the time, Gilmartin was trying to promote his plans to build a massive shopping centre at Quarryvale in west Dublin. When he ran into difficulties, he hired the Fianna Fail TD Liam Lawlor as a consultant, paying him £3,500 a month. Gilmartin says Lawlor got 10 such payments; Lawlor admits he got three or four.
Doors opened at the highest levels. Gilmartin was taken to the Dail on at least four occasions, and met senior ministers, including the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, and Flynn.
But Quarryvale remained mired in planning difficulties; Gilmartin's plans conflicted with the plans of county council officials. George Redmond tipped off a rival developer, who launched a campaign of opposition.
Gilmartin ran out of time. His bankers, AIB, brought in another developer, Cork-born Owen O'Callaghan, who eventually bought Gilmartin's interest in the project.