Politicians ‘had minor role in blocking project’
The Sligo-born businessman told the Mahon Tribunal yesterday, the main roadblock to the £100m development at Bachelor’s Walk came from property owners in the area.
Facing cross-examination by former TD Liam Lawlor, whom he has accused of delaying the project, Mr Gilmartin acknowledged that the plan became “unviable” because the cost of properties had more than doubled following newspaper reports about the development.
However, he was criticised by Mr Lawlor who said the witness had previously attempted to blame the failure of the venture on “outside forces, ransom and shadowy figures”.
Mr Gilmartin said he did not know who had held him up to ransom. However, he highlighted how the price sought by landowners in the Bachelor’s Walk area had in some cases doubled or trebled “overnight” after media coverage that a British company associated with him was interested in acquiring sites in the area.
During some sharp exchanges on the same issue, Mr Gilmartin remarked at one stage: “You were hanging around. You shouldn’t need to ask me any questions about it.”
Later, Mr Lawlor said Mr Gilmartin’s evidence had been characterised by dates, meetings and people whom he had “muddled, fuddled and duddled”. The witness retorted: “If that’s the best you can do to discredit me, you’ve some job on your hand.”
Mr Gilmartin said the way in which the price of property increased had amounted to extortion in his opinion. Asked by Mr Lawlor if it was not just a case of people seeking a better price, Mr Gilmartin replied: “No. It was the method by which it happened.”
In other evidence, Mr Gilmartin agreed with Bernard Madden, for Padraig Flynn, that there were “no strings attached” to the £50,000 cheque he gave the former minister in June 1989.
“He never asked anybody for any favour, whatsoever,” said Mr Gilmartin.
Mr Madden said his client would give evidence that he had made it clear at the meeting that Mr Gilmartin should understand the cheque did not mean he could offer any “guarantee, obligation, promise or favour”.
Mr Gilmartin replied: “He did not say that to me on the day. But in all my dealings with Mr Flynn in his departmental duties he was absolutely honourable in all agreements, despite the blackening of his and my name recently in the press. He performed his duties with integrity and, at no time, did he offer favours and at no time did he ask for any.”
