Lawlor at centre of bribe firms, Flood told

DISGRACED former TD Liam Lawlor and reclusive businessman Jim Kennedy were at the centre of two property companies that allegedly paid £30,000 in bribes to councillors, the Flood Tribunal was told yesterday.

The former Government Press Secretary, Frank Dunlop told the tribunal both Mr Lawlor and Mr Kennedy had a financial interest in Paisley Park and Jackson Way - two offshore companies which owned land in south Dublin. The land was the subject of controversial rezoning motions over the past decade.

However, the evidence of the tribunal's key witness will be challenged as both men strenuously deny having any interest or knowledge of either company.