Lobbyist’s £1,000 bribe claim denied by Gilbride

LOBBYIST Frank Dunlop has insisted he gave a £1,000 bribe in 1993 to Sean Gilbride, then a Fianna Fáil member of Dublin County Council, to sign a rezoning motion on behalf of landowner Paul Walls.

At the Mahon Planning Tribunal yesterday, Mr Dunlop said he was unable to give a date, time or location when the money — in cash — was handed over, but felt it must have been around March 18, 1993, when Mr Gilbride signed the motion relating to a proposed 19-house luxury development in Malahide, north County Dublin.

During a discussion Mr Dunlop said Mr Gilbride had used the phrase “it’s going to cost you” and he agreed to give Mr Gilbride £1,000.

Following Mr Dunlop into the witness box, Mr Gilbride firmly rejected Mr Dunlop’s version of events and said he has “no idea” why Mr Dunlop persists with his bribery allegation. What Mr Dunlop alleged, “didn’t happen. I didn’t get any money from Mr Dunlop for signing the motion, or from anybody else.”

He told tribunal lawyer Henry Murphy: “I was friendly with Mr Dunlop, to my regret. I don’t know why he is now saying he gave me this money — or any money.”

In contrast to Mr Dunlop’s evidence of a culture of councillors being paid for their votes, Mr Gilbride — a councillor since 1985 — said he was never aware of a councillor requesting or receiving money in return for his vote.

Mr Dunlop alleges he bribed the former FF councillor in a failed attempt to rezone the land at Kinsealy, controlled by Walls Property. He also alleges Mr Gilbride signed a council motion on foot of an agreement between them that he would be paid £1,000.

Mr Dunlop also claims Paul Walls, a director of Walls Property, hired him in the full knowledge money would have to be paid to councillors for their support.

Giving evidence yesterday Mr Walls said he had a bad memory. But nobody ever suggested they pay money to councillors, he told tribunal lawyer Pat Quinn SC. He did not fall out with Mr Dunlop, he added.