Councillor got £4,500 from developers
Records show Ned Ryan received £4,500 from Monarch Properties between June 1991 and March 1996. Initially a member of Dublin County Council, he joined Fingal County Council in 1994.
Mr Ryan denied receiving payments when queried by both the tribunal and a 2000 Fianna Fáil probe, his party’s internal investigation sparked by lobbyist Frank Dunlop’s claims he bribed Dublin councillors.
Challenging Mr Ryan, the chairman said he had told the tribunal he had not received any contributions. But he must have known he had received substantial contributions.
Judge Mahon said he could have told the tribunal he received substantial contributions. “The clear impression from your letter is that you received nothing.”
Asked by tribunal lawyer Patricia Dillon SC why he said he got no contributions from developers in excess of £500, he said he didn’t recall making that statement, which he agreed was incorrect. He wasn’t focused, as his brother was ill and died within days.
He told the Fianna Fáil probe he never got more than a donation of £500.
Fianna Fáil Deputy GV Wright failed to reveal to his party he got political payments totalling £2,800 from Monarch. Mr Wright said the party had not contacted him about the omission of the political donations which he had not solicited.
A former Senate leader, former FF whip in Dublin Co Council and current TD for Dublin North, Mr Wright is not contesting the next general election.
Mr Wright admitted he did not tell the Fianna Fáil probe about £2,000 Monarch gave him in contributions in connection with 1992 general election. He had told the party only about the £300 Monarch gave relating to the June 1991 local elections.
Today, Minister of State Frank Fahey — listed as receiving £250 from Monarch in 1992 — is listed as a witness. Deputies Sean Haughey, Sean Ardagh and former Foreign Minister David Andrews are also expected to testify today.
Former EU social affairs commissioner Padraig Flynn is expected to appear next Tuesday.
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