Developer never asked Dunlop about payments

MAHON Tribunal lawyers yesterday expressed surprise that developer Owen O’Callaghan failed to ask Frank Dunlop if he had made paid bribes on his behalf after the political lobbyist admitted his role in planning corruption.

Tribunal barrister Patricia Dillon said Mr O’Callaghan’s declaration that he didn’t make such an inquiry of Mr Dunlop was “an extraordinary omission”.

Mr Dunlop, a former Government press secretary and PR consultant, confessed to the inquiry in April 2000 that he had been involved in paying bribes to members of Dublin County Council for planning favours.