Dunlop gives evidence about role in Cargobridge rezoning

Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has begin giving evidence to the latest module of the Mahon Tribunal into alleged planning corruption in Dublin.

The tribunal is currently investigating the rezoning in 1993 of farmland near Dublin Airport owned by a consortium called Cargobridge.

The move was backed unanimously by councillors, with two abstentions, despite intense opposition from Aer Rianta, which said it would compromise safety and hamper the development of the airport.

Mr Dunlop, who was hired by Cargobridge to lobby in favour of the rezoning, claims he paid bribes to a number of councillors in return for their support on the motion.

In his evidence today, he said Aer Rianta also lobbied every single councillor who voted on the motion, but took a very heavy-handed approach that played into the hands of his clients.

He also described how Fine Gael councillor Anne Devitt, who supported the rezoning, told him she knew the problems that were going to arise with "those bastards" Aer Rianta.

Elsewhere, Mr Dunlop said he only discovered yesterday that Ciaran Haughey, a son of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey, was a member of the Cargobridge consortium.