Redmond was a protected species, says Gilmartin

TOM Gilmartin complained to a series of people about Liam Lawlor and George Redmond without success, causing him to believe Redmond in particular was a “protected species”.

The developer said he tried to tell former Fianna Fáil senator Willie Farrell about the interference in his shopping centre plans and the demand made of him for £5 million in return for support for the projects but the senator seemed primarily concerned that he keep quiet so nobody would hear him.

Mr Farrell then passed Mr Gilmartin along to party colleague, Sean Gilbride, a Dublin councillor originally from Mr Gilmartin's home place in Sligo but Mr Gilbride only said: "Liam Lawlor was all right if I handled him in the right way."