Molloy ‘unaware’ of State promise on land

FORMER Energy Minister Bobby Molloy told the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday he was unaware his predecessor had given a Dáil commitment that State lands in Co Wicklow would be sold by public tender.

But two years after former energy minister Ray Burke’s October, 1988 undertaking, the Glen Ding lands at Blessington were privately sold to the Roadstone company — whose chairman was financial adviser to then Taoiseach Charles J Haughey.

Mr Molloy said had he known about Mr Burke’s earlier parliamentary commitment in reply to Opposition TD Gemma Hussey’s question, he would have sought legal advice. He added: “On the face of it, I think you would not have any choice other than to do what had been committed previously.”

Asked by tribunal lawyer Jerry Healy SC if there was any way around the Dáil commitment, Mr Molloy said there was “the question of honour and living up to your word.”

Mr Molloy said no improper approach was made by anyone in connection with the sale of the 145-acre site, which contained substantial sand and gravel deposits. It was sold in December 1990 for £1.25 million (€1.58m).

It was still obvious to him the best price was going to be obtained from Roadstone, he said. Roadstone had the greatest need for the mineral deposits.

Brendan Johnston of Johnston Enterprises, the only other bidder, objected in a letter to Mr Molloy he was not fairly treated in the department. Mr Molloy then instructed senior officials to meet him, but shortly afterwards Mr Molloy went ahead and agreed with his officials’ recommendation to sell to Roadstone.

Former Department of Energy secretary general John Loughrey explained to tribunal lawyer John Coughlan SC there was a virtual clean out of department staff who had dealt with people expressing an interest in the lands.