Almost the first thing Owen O'Callaghan did on becoming involved in Quarryvale was to engage the former government press secretary, Frank Dunlop, to lobby for the rezoning of the site.
O'Callaghan made payments of over £1 million to Dunlop, much of which was passed on to politicians. Dunlop told the tribunal this week he paid £112,000 to 15 county councillors in return for their support for the rezoning of Quarryvale around the time of a crucial vote in May 1991. At least three were TDs or senators.
But there's more to come when Dunlop gives further evidence next month concerning payments made during a second vote in 1992, and possibly later.
Dunlop says he paid sums of £48,500, £20,000, £15,000 and £12,000 to four councillors on behalf of O'Callaghan, and smaller sums to 10 others. The largest sum was paid to a "powerful individual".
Fianna Fail TD Liam Lawlor says he did get money from Mr Dunlop for his political campaigns, but he cannot remember how much, and is examining his records before telling all to the tribunal.
