FF councillor paid for rezoning, says Dunlop

THE political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has told the Flood Tribunal that he believed Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fox paid party colleagues to support rezoning motions.

Mr Dunlop told the planning inquiry yesterday Cllr Fox had indicated on a number of occasions he would "look after others" in relation to votes at council meetings. Mr Dunlop said he took the phrase to mean Cllr Fox was remunerating colleagues.

The former Government press secretary was being questioned yesterday about his efforts to get 47 acres of land at Carrickmines in south Dublin rezoned by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 1997.

The site consisted of two parcels of land one of which was owned by three businessmen, Brian O'Halloran, Austin Darragh and Gerard Kilcoyne and the other by Jackson Way Properties. Mr Dunlop had already told the tribunal he gave a bribe to Cllr Fox in 1997 for his signature on motions to rezone Jackson Way's lands.

He promised Cllr Fox as much as £21,500 if the rezonings were successful, although ultimately he only handed over £5,000 in cash to the politician.

Questioned by tribunal barrister, John Gallagher SC, Mr Dunlop said he had no reason to believe Cllr Fox paid other councillors in relation to the rezoning.

Cllr Fox denied ever soliciting, receiving or being offered monies or benefits in return for his support of planning or development issues.

In other evidence, the Tribunal heard the former Fine Gael TD, Liam Cosgrave, had faxed council documentation to Mr Dunlop which provided information about deadlines for submitting rezoning motions.

The inquiry is investigating allegations by Mr Dunlop that Mr Cosgrave asked for £5,000 for his support in efforts to rezone the Jackson Way site in 1997.