Corrupt must own up, says Dunlop
The former Government press secretary acknowledged yesterday he had made a stupid attempt to conceal his involvement in bribing politicians during his first appearance as a witness at the inquiry in April, 2000.
He also admitted he had repeatedly lied to tribunal lawyers during his original evidence three years ago.
Mr Dunlop accepted he misled the tribunal when questioned about his role in making payments to politicians The political lobbyist claimed his life had changed dramatically since April 19, 2000, when he decided to confess to his own role in corruption.
As a result, he no longer had employment, a business or clients. People with whom he had strong personal relationships, including politicians, now regarded him as a pariah.
However, Mr Dunlop said he no longer had anything to gain "other than telling the story as it was and is." He urged others who had participated with him in corruption of the planning process to confront the truth.
"It may well serve everyone's interest, if some people who were involved took a similar line and 'fessed up' to say what happened, he said.
The tribunal is investigating allegations Mr Dunlop was paid £35,000 by businessman, Jim Kennedy, on behalf of the owners of land at Carrickmines, Co Dublin, in order to bribe politicians. Mr Dunlop has identified nine councillors who offered their votes in return for money on rezoning issues during the 1990s.
However, tribunal barrister, John Gallagher SC, said the inquiry had been unable so far to get definitive proof that any of this money had been lodged into accounts disclosed by these councillors.
Mr Dunlop conceded yesterday he lied in his response to over a dozen separate questions during his first two days of evidence to the tribunal in 2000.
He also acknowledged that he had provided inaccurate information to his own lawyers about payments he had made to members of Dublin County Council in relation to the Quarryvale development in west Dublin.
Mr Dunlop agreed he had failed to provide details of all his bank accounts in sworn affidavits to the tribunal. Such attempts to mislead the tribunal were "ill-conceived, misguided and wrong," said Mr Dunlop.
However, he said any evidence he had given to the inquiry after being asked to reflect on his testimony by the tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Feargus Flood on April 18, 2000 had been the truth.
"I have made every endeavour to co-operate with the tribunal on that basis," said Mr Dunlop. "To the best of my knowledge and belief, any inconsistencies or errors (now) are not of a deliberate nature by me," he said.
Asked for his comments on being labelled a "self-confessed perjurer" by Fine Gael councillor, Liam Cosgrave, he remarked:
"I am not going to dispute that I have admitted to you in public that I told lies and misled the tribunal."
After eight days in the witness box, cross-examination of Mr Dunlop by the legal representatives of councillors whom he has accused of taking bribes will start next Tuesday
