January 1987: Hudson Bros writes to Department of Energy with a view to purchasing part of Glen Ding Wood with sand and gravel deposits.
June 1987: Hudson Bros receives letter from the Department stating that it is not intended to dispose of the land in the foreseeable future.
August 1987: Cement Roadstone Holdings contacts the Department with a view to purchasing the same property.
October/November 1987: Fianna Fail TDs Mr Chris Flood and Mr Sean Walsh are informed in writing by Mr Michael Smith, minister of state for energy with responsibility for forestry, that the land is not for sale and even if it was decided to dispose of it, it could be sold only by public tender. (Mr Smith served as minister of state between March 1987, and November 1988, and subsequently as minister for energy from November 1988 to July 1989, after which he had no further responsibility for forestry matters such as Glen Ding).
June 1988: The Geological Survey of Ireland completes a report commissioned by the Department into sand and gravel reserves at Glen Ding.
June 1988: The Department informs the Office of Public Works that it is proposed to offer the property for sale and asks it to conduct a survey of potential archaeological sites contained in it. The letter states: "As we are anxious to put the land up for sale without delay, I would ask that you deal with this matter as quickly as possible."
April 1989: A businessman, Mr Brendan Johnston, contacts the Department with a view to purchasing the land.
December 10th, 1990: Mr Johnston submits a bank draft for £80,000 as a deposit for an unconditional offer of £800,000.
December 20th, 1990: Mr Johnston's solicitors informed by the Department that his unconditional offer is not successful. The bank draft is returned.
December 21st, 1990: His solicitors send a letter of protest to the Department.
January 1990: The Chief State Solicitor's Office informs Mr Johnston that his offer was not the largest. The letter adds: "This was a sale by private treaty and your client is not entitled to any explanation other than that his offer was not successful."
January 1992: Roadstone Dublin Ltd purchases Glen Ding Wood by private treaty for £1.25 million.
February 1997: The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry says in a statement: "Some general interest had been shown in the property, but only Roadstone made any meaningful approach. One other late offer was made but did not match the Roadstone offer and was not pursued."