FF stands by Senator in bribery allegations
The political future of the long-serving senator is in doubt after the Flood Tribunal heard yesterday that he was bribed by former lobbyist Frank Dunlop to sign a rezoning motion for land at Carrickmines in south Dublin in 1992.
Senator Lydon is the latest FF politician to be embroiled by allegations of sleaze.
Mr Dunlop claims Dr Lydon demanded the money for his support to rezone 108 acres at Carrickmines, which was allegedly owned by businessman, Jim Kennedy.
He also revealed that he had paid the senator another £1,000 after he had voted for Quarryvale development in May 1991.
Last night, FF was waiting for the tribunal’s report before taking any position on Senator Lydon’s future in the party, a party source said.
Opposition parties were also reluctant to pass judgement. Fine Gael said that it was not in a position to comment until the tribunal reported while Labour said the allegations were very serious but that they would wait for the tribunal’s conclusions.
The claims will cause further embarrassment for the Taoiseach following the Tribunal’s scrutiny of other senior FF figures, including Ray Burke and Liam Lawlor.
Mr Dunlop claimed yesterday that Mr Lawlor was central to his efforts to bribe politicians. He identified Lawlor as the first person who told him councillors would have to be paid to secure the rezoning of the Paisley Park lands.
Mr Dunlop said that Dr Lydon had looked for £5,000 to sign the Paisley Park motion. Ultimately, he agreed to pay the senator just £3,000.
Senator Lydon (64) works as a psychologist and lectures at UCD. He has been a member of the Seanad since 1987 and a councillor since 1985.
He has denied ever receiving money in relation to any planning issue. However, he admits he received two political donations totalling £1,420 from Mr Dunlop.
Mr Dunlop said he was contacted by Dr Lydon following the establishment of the Tribunal to arrange a meeting. “He warned me that the Tribunal was tapping my phone and to be careful,” he recalled.
Tribunal barrister, John Gallagher said that the Tribunal never tapped phones.
The inquiry heard that the late Fine Gael councillor, Tom Hand, was given £3,000 for seconding the Paisley Park motion, despite his initial demand for £10,000.
“You are going to make millions as a result of my signature. I am not going to sign anything unless I get something first,” said Cllr Hand allegedly.
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