Dunlop: O’Callaghan funded Cork election trip

PROPERTY developer Owen O’Callaghan picked up the tab when Fine Gael councillor Therese Ridge and lobbyist Frank Dunlop flew to Cork as part of her canvass for the 1993 Seanad election, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

Mr O’Callaghan took her around and introduced her to a selected number of local Cork councillors whose votes would help elect the new members to the Seanad.

Describing Ms Ridge as an ardent supporter of Mr O’Callaghan’s Quarryvale development, Mr Dunlop said he gave her two cash payments — £1,000 for the 1992 General Election and £500 towards her Seanad campaign.