Property developers were largest donors to parties

PROPERTY companies were the standout donors to political parties ahead of their last election campaign, a probe of accounts can reveal.

A sample of annual returns revealed 71% of the payments to six parties came from businesses whose primary interest was property development. Of those, Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore Properties and Durkan New Homes accounted for the largest amounts, €29,580 and €23,084 respectively.

These and other construction related operations donated €80,626 either side of the 2007 election. And although Fianna Fáil received the most, parties from across the spectrum also benefited.