O'Herlihy 'disgusted' to learn of planning corruption

Bill O'Herlihy has told the Planning Tribunal that he was shocked and disgusted to learn about the corruption in the planning system in the 1980s and 1990s.

Giving evidence to the tribunal today, the sports presenter and PR consultant described how he was told councillors were receiving £50,000 a year in bribes for supporting rezoning motions.

He said Richard Lynn, a director of Monarch Properties said the process was all about money, with developers and lobbyists targeting a councillor and getting him or her to bring others on board.

Mr O'Herlihy, whose PR firm was employed by Monarch in relation to a specific project, said he was surprised, shocked, gob-smacked and disgusted to learn of the corruption.

He said he was not involved in lobbying and described Monarch Properties and Richard Lynn as thoroughly professional.