Dunlop stands by Cosgrave payout payments

FRANK DUNLOP has stood over claims that he paid £5,000 to Liam Cosgrave just before the former Fine Gael TD attended a funeral in Blackrock, Co Dublin, despite the fact that the tribunal has been unable to establish any evidence of such a service in the church on that date.

The former government press secretary yesterday rebuffed claims by Mr Cosgrave’s legal team that the incident could not have taken place. Mr Dunlop said that he remembered the occasion well because it was “delivery day” when he paid out a total of £12,000 to several politicians, including Mr Cosgrave.

“That was the day I was delivering not only to your client but to others,” said Mr Dunlop, who pointed out that he had given sums of £3,000 and £4,000 to a TD and councillor, respectively.