THE driver of a stolen car which crashed into a motorway embankment has been charged with the manslaughter of a teenage friend who died following the accident.

ONE of the beneficial owners of lands at the centre of planning corruption allegations yesterday insisted he never played any role in attempts to bribe councillors.

Former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave has defended his decision to support rezoning motions in the late 1990s relating to land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, despite the county manager's view that the land was unsuitable for industrial development.

A DECEASED Fine Gael councillor demanded £250,000 for his support of a major property development in Dublin in the early 1990s.

Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has insisted that he paid bribes to former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave in return for his vote on rezoning motions relating to land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin.

THE Flood Tribunal is expected to decide this week on what legal action, if any, it intends to take against the tax exile businessman, Jim Kennedy over his refusal to appear at the inquiry as a witness.

FIANNA Fáil senator Don Lydon actively sought a £5,000 bribe from political lobbyist Frank Dunlop, the Flood Tribunal heard yesterday.

THE Flood Tribunal has rejected an application by the family of a deceased Fine Gael councillor, Tom Hand, that it should not inquire into allegations he was involved in planning corruption.

The Flood Tribunal will today complete the opening statement of its latest phase investigating rezoning decisions made by Dublin councillors.

FRANK Dunlop has told the Flood Tribunal he paid a total of £30,000 to nine past and present councillors in Dublin in return for their votes on controversial rezoning motions relating to lands in south Dublin during the 1990s.

The Flood Tribunal has heard that businessmen Jim Kennedy has refused to return to Dublin to give evidence at the inquiry.

The Flood Tribunal has heard that political lobbyist Frank Dunlop was offered a £250,000 payment in 1997 if he could secure the rezoning of land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, owned by the mysterious company Jackson Way.

The Flood Tribunal has revealed that 13 matters will be investigated during its coming phase, including rezoning decisions relating to 20 parcels of land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin.

The next phase of the planning and payments tribunal formally resumes at Dublin castle later this morning.

APART from Liam Lawlor, of all the names revealed at the Flood Tribunal to have been on the receiving end of rezoning kickbacks, the one that stands out most is that of Colm McGrath, an Independent member of South Dublin County Council.