Mahon Tribunal: O’Keeffe advised developer to help out FF councillor, says Dunlop

MINISTER of State Batt O’Keeffe advised property developer Owen O’Callaghan to “help out” a Fianna Fáil councillor on Dublin County Council running for the Dáil, the tribunal heard yesterday.

Former lobbyist Frank Dunlop said he gave GV Wright, a former TD now retired, IR£5,000 in cash towards his campaign in the November 1992 general election, while Mr O’Callaghan contributed a £5,000 cheque.

The three men met in Mr Wright’s north Dublin offices in Malahide. Separately, Mr Dunlop and Mr O’Callaghan gave their donations. Mr Dunlop described how Mr O’Callaghan told him he had been asked “to help out GV” and he later learned this advice came from Mr O’Keeffe.

Witness said Mr Wright was “very positive” in relation to Mr O’Callaghan’s Quarryvale development in west Dublin currently under the tribunal spotlight. Neither he nor Mr O’Callaghan was in any doubt as to Mr Wright’s position. Mr Dunlop described Mr Wright as a “facilitator” on Dublin County Council as a FF councillor and there was an important council vote coming up at the time.

Mr O’Keeffe is listed to give evidence to the tribunal later.