Green Glens boss jumped at chance to meet Reynolds

BUSINESSMAN Noel C Duggan wanted better roads leading to his concert venue and equestrian centre in Millstreet, Co Cork — so he jumped at the chance to meet former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

Mr Duggan said he was asked to attend the function, held on March 11, 1994, by Cork-based property developer Owen O’Callaghan, who gave him the idea the event was a fundraiser.

He said Mr O’Callaghan knew he wanted to meet Mr Reynolds because Mr Duggan had invested heavily in Millstreet and was anxious to have the roads to the venue improved.

His Green Glens arena was the venue for the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest and the condition of the local access roads was a regular talking point. On the road between Macroom and Millstreet there were 61 bends. When he met the former taoiseach, Mr Duggan wasted no time in asking if the roads could be improved.

Happening to have his cheque book with him at the dinner, Mr Duggan said he made out a cheque for IR£5,000 to Fianna Fáil and put it in an envelope he brought with him.

Questioned whether he saw any envelopes lying on the table, Mr Duggan said he had not but then he wasn’t watching out for such.

Previously he had never given a donation to that party and he told tribunal lawyer Patricia Dillon SC he never got a receipt or acknowledgment for his donation from FF.

During conversation, he explained how businessman William Grainger, who was sitting next to him, mentioned the donation was “£5,000 or more.”

When tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon asked if £5,000 was suggested, Mr Duggan said he thought £5,000 was “accepted” as a minimum, adding: “I was going for the minimum.”

There was no discussion about [giving)]cash, Mr Duggan told Ms Dillon.

The tribunal is investigating claims by developer Tom Gilmartin that Mr O’Callaghan — his former business partner in the west Dublin Quarryvale development under the tribunal spotlight — told him he handed Mr Reynolds IR£150,000 in cash in March 1994 following a private dinner in Cork.

Mr O’Callaghan, who was described as one of the dinner organisers, and Mr Reynolds, deny the allegation.