Lydon sought £5,000 bribe from Dunlop, inquiry hears
The inquiry was also told Dr Lydon warned Mr Dunlop the tribunal was tapping his (Dunlop’s) phone.
The PR consultant said Dr Lydon made the demand for money during a meeting in the his offices at St John of God’s Hospital in Stillorgan on May 1, 1992.
He claimed Dr Lydon asked for the money in return for putting his signature to a motion to come before Dublin County Council.
The political lobbyist was hired by businessman Jim Kennedy and solicitor John Caldwell to get councillors to support a proposed rezoning of 108 acres owned by their company, Paisley Park, in Carrickmines, Co Dublin.
The tribunal heard Mr Dunlop also gave Dr Lydon a sum of £1,000 in May 1991 in return for his support of a rezoning motion on the controversial development at Quarryvale in west Dublin.
Mr Dunlop said he was contacted by the senator after the tribunal had been established to arrange a meeting. They subsequently held a discussion in Dr Lydon’s car in the car park at St John of God’s Hospital.
“He warned me that the tribunal was tapping my phone and to be careful what I said about anyone, including politicians,” said Mr Dunlop.
When asked how we was aware of this, Dr Lydon allegedly replied: “I just happen to know. Take it from me, Frank.”
However, tribunal barrister John Gallagher SC reassured him the inquiry had never tapped phones.
During his second day of giving evidence, Mr Dunlop said the senator had made it clear “something would have to be given for his support” for the Paisley Park motion.
Asked if that could mean a bottle of whiskey or a ticket to Croke Park, Mr Dunlop replied: “There was never any doubt on either part that he was talking about money.”
Mr Gallagher said Dr Lydon has told the tribunal he never received any money in return for his support on rezoning during his political career.
“I have given my evidence on oath in public and I will give that evidence again if so required,” said Mr Dunlop.
He said the politician had argued he would find it difficult to support the motion because it ran contrary to the county manager’s recommendations for Carrickmines.
“I am going to get derision heaped on my head,” Senator Lydon allegedly remarked.
Although he looked for £5,000, Mr Dunlop said he agreed to pay him £3,000. He paid him the money in cash at Dr Lydon’s office just hours before the deadline for submitting the motion to the council.
Mr Dunlop said the politician promised to talk about Paisley Park to other councillors as well as asking for background information on the proposed rezoning. Dr Lydon had neither sought nor was given a receipt, he added.
He agreed he had given Dr Lydon a £1,000 cheque as a political donation in 1999. However, Mr Dunlop contradicted Dr Lydon’s statement to the tribunal that the political lobbyist had contacted him to remind him about another £1,000 payment in the early 1990s.
A note in Mr Dunlop’s diary also recorded a meeting with the late Fine Gael councillor Tom Hand in May 1992 for the same purpose. However, Mr Dunlop said he was uncertain whether a word opposite Cllr Hand’s name was “agreed” or “greed”.
Mr Dunlop said Cllr Hand had readily shown his willingness to support the Paisley Park motion. He also indicated that, like on previous occasions, he would have to be paid. He recalled that the late Dundrum-based councillor had initially sought £10,000.
“I said ‘no way,’” said Mr Dunlop.
Mr Dunlop said that after a “ping pong” conversation they both agreed Cllr Hand would be paid £3,000.
Mr Dunlop said the councillor was known to have a mantra which went: “You are going to make millions as a result of my signature. I am not going to sign anything unless I get something first.”
Mr Dunlop said he handed Mr Hand £3,000 in cash in the lobby of Dublin County Council’s offices on O’Connell Street.
Mr Hand did not ask for, nor was he given a receipt.
Meanwhile, Tribunal chairman Mr Justice Feargus Flood rejected complaints by legal representatives of Mr Hand, Dr Lydon and Cllr Liam Cosgrave that they had no advance notice of the details of these meetings.
