End of political dynasty as Cosgrave resigns

FORMER Fine Gael Senator and TD Liam Cosgrave resigned from the party yesterday, ending a political dynasty that stretches back over 80 years to the foundation of the State.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny confirmed that Cllr Cosgrave had resigned as a member of the party but neither man would comment any further on the move.

Cllr Cosgrave’s resignation comes in the wake of his denial at the Flood Tribunal that he had taken bribes from lobbyist Frank Dunlop to rezone land at Carrickmines in south Co Dublin.

The tribunal heard that Cllr Cosgrave had received more than€7,000 in election payments. But he insisted these were legitimate political donations and rejected an accusation that he had concealed a financial record from the Tribunal.

However, the 47-year-old solicitor admitted he did not tell the Public Offices Commission of a number of payments totalling €3,175 he had received and hidden in a dead client’s account.

Politicians are required under ethics legislation to disclose all payments of more than €635.

Following these revelations in early April, Cllr Cosgrave told the Flood Tribunal his political career was over as a result of corruption allegations made against him.

Fine Gael’s national executive then asked its disciplinary committee to examine the evidence that had come out of the Flood Tribunal

It was particularly interested in Cllr Cosgrave’s evidence that he had received more than €7,000 in election payments and other payments from the former lobbyist Frank Dunlop

This contrasted with the sum of between €3,800 to €4,400 which Cllr Cosgrave declared to the Fine Gael internal inquiry three years ago after Frank Dunlop revealed that he had made payments to nine councillors.

The Fine Gael disciplinary committee has not made a ruling on Cllr Cosgrave, but privately party leader Enda Kenny wanted him to leave.

Liam Cosgrave’s resignation from Fine Gael heralds the end of the his family’s connection with the party going back to the foundation of the State. His grandfather, WT Cosgrave, was the president of the first Free State government from 1922 to 1932. And his father Liam Cosgrave Snr, was leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach from 1973 -1974.

Liam Cosgrave Jnr, has a national political career stretching back over 20 years to 1981 when he was first elected a TD for Dun Laoghaire in 1981. He lost his Dáil seat in 1987 and became a Senator two years later until 2002.

During that time he was Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

Cllr Cosgrave would not indicate yesterday if he intended contesting next years local elections as an independent candidate.