Land was caught up in claims of blackmail

The English land Michael Lowry has not been declaring to the Dáil was previously wrapped up in allegations of blackmail and payoffs.

Mr Lowry told the Moriarty Tribunal his company had paid a Northern Irish agent, Kevin Phelan, £65,000 for finding him the development site at a key motorway junction on the outskirts of Wigan.

Vineacre was owned by Mr Carroll and Mr Lowry. In Oct 2003 Vineacre was dropped from the title and replaced by Michael Lowry.