Dunlop says he knew ‘buying’ Cosgrave’s vote was corrupt
The political lobbyist told the Flood Tribunal yesterday he accepted that he had been involved in corrupt practices. However, he stressed that corruption “by its very nature takes two (people)”.
Asked would he describe Mr Cosgrave as one of those two, Mr Dunlop replied: “Yes”. He said he accepted comments that he had engaged in corrupt activity “however difficult it is personally, morally and ethically”.
Mr Dunlop also rejected Mr Cosgrave’s assertion that his support had never been bought, saying “it happened and I was the participant in the purchase of the vote”.
The tribunal is investigating allegations that Mr Cosgrave, a member of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown council, received over £17,000 from Mr Dunlop in the 1990s. In particular, it has heard claims Mr Dunlop paid two bribes worth £7,000 to Mr Cosgrave for his support of land rezoning motions in Carrickmines.
Mr Cosgrave has denied all Mr Dunlop’s allegations and claimed he never received any money from anybody in relation to a planning matter. He maintains any payments he received in the past decade from the PR consultant were legitimate political donations.
However, Mr Dunlop told the tribunal yesterday that he had lobbied Mr Cosgrave about the Carrickmines land owned by Paisley Park because he was a councillor from the area.
He recalled Mr Cosgrave was always asking which other councillors were in favour of the proposal.
“He wanted to be sure that success was at least possible, if not guaranteed,” Mr Dunlop said.
He said Mr Cosgrave offered his support for the Paisley Park rezoning on the basis that he was given £2,000.
“Mr Cosgrave never used the type of language like ‘it’ll cost you’...but I had no doubt and he had no doubt about what was being discussed,” Mr Dunlop said.
He claimed the former TD acknowledged receipt of the payment in November 1992 when Mr Cosgrave asked him for a political donation in a forthcoming election. Mr Dunlop said he agreed to give Mr Cosgrave £5,000 for his continuing support of other developments which they had already discussed.
He gave the money to Mr Cosgrave near a church at Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin on November 11, 1992. Mr Dunlop said he had been informed by Mr Cosgrave that he was attending a removal in the church. However, tribunal barrister, John Gallagher said the inquiry had been unable to establish that any funeral had taken place in the church on that day.
Earlier, Mr Cosgrave’s lawyers complained that they were not being given the name of a developer whom their client was allegedly supporting.
Barrister, Michael O’Higgins said he was not being given information which could assist Mr Cosgrave at a time when his reputation was “taking a thrashing”. The tribunal ruled the identity of the developer would be revealed at a later stage. Tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Flood reassured Mr Cosgrave’s lawyers their ability to defend their client would not be affected by the decision not to disclose the developer’s name immediately.
