The trial of four Councillors accused of accepting bribes to rezone over 100 acres of land has heard that the rezoning went against the advice of the then county manager.

A former political lobbyist has admitted that he told “big lies about important matters” when he gave evidence to a tribunal 13 years ago.

A former political lobbyist has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that he made cash payments to county councillors to secure their votes for the rezoning of land.

A businessman accused of making corrupt payments to local politicians in Dublin in the 1990s has told a court that he did not know any of the Councillors in question.

A trial date has been set at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for five men on charges of giving or receiving corrupt payments in relation to the rezoning of lands.