Dunlop fails to explain discrepancies in tribunal evidence

Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has told the Mahon Tribunal that he cannot explain discrepancies in his evidence about the alleged bribery of Dublin county councillors in the early 1990s.

Mr Dunlop told the tribunal yesterday that he had paid IR£11,000 to nine councillors to secure their support for the rezoning of land in Ballycullen, near Tallaght, owned by developer Christopher Jones.

However, the tribunal heard today that Mr Dunlop had originally claimed during private meetings in 2000 that he had only bribed three councillors: Fianna Fáil duo Don Lydon and Tony Fox and Fine Gael's Tom Hand.

When questioned about the matter today, Mr Dunlop said he could not explain why he had now changed his position.

The former lobbyist also said today that Mr Jones and his financial controller Gerry Hussey were both aware that bribes were being paid on their behalf.

Mr Jones has told the tribunal that he does not know if Mr Dunlop paid any councillors out of the IR£60,000 he paid him to lobby for the rezoning.

However, Mr Dunlop said today that, while no specific reference was made to any payments, he did tell the Jones Group "the ways of the world" would apply.

He said he was in no doubt that Mr Jones and Mr Hussey knew payments to certain councillors would be necessary.

Despite this, Mr Dunlop defended his description of the pair as "honourable", saying they had been completely frustrated by repeated attempts to have the Ballycullen lands rezoned without success.