Publican wins challenge over Ahern ‘dig-out’

Publican Charlie Chawke has won a legal challenge to the Planning Tribunal in which he claimed it breached fair procedures in finding he had not co-operated in his evidence about a financial "dig-out" for Bertie Ahern.

The High Court rejected a separate but similar challenge over non-cooperation by former Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillor, Tony Fox, who was found to have given false evidence when he denied receiving money from lobbyist Frank Dunlop for voting for the rezoning of land in Dublin.

Mr Chawke and Mr Fox challenged “non-cooperation” findings, which meant there were consequences for any legal costs orders against them by the tribunal. Mr Chawke was mainly concerned the finding had seriously damaged his reputation. The tribunal denied the claims.