Dunlop faces corruption charges

Former government press secretary and lobbyist Frank Dunlop appeared at Dublin District Court this afternoon to face 16 charges of corruption.

A detective from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) told Judge Cormac Dunne that at 12.10pm today he arrested Mr Dunlop at Harcourt Terrace, in Dublin.

Mr Dunlop (aged 61), of Dunboyne, Co Meath, was conveyed to Harcourt Terrace station where he was charged with 16 offences.

In a court appearance lasting less than 10 minutes, Mr Dunlop, who was dressed in a navy pin-striped suit remained seated with his legs crossed and hands clasped firmly, as the details of his arrest were read out.

The CAB detective told Judge Dunne that Mr Dunlop’s reply to the charges after caution was: "We always knew this day was coming and I will not be contesting the charges."

Judge Dunne was told that Mr Dunlop was then given a copy of the charges relating to corrupt payments to a number of members of Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council from 1992 to December 1997.

State’s solicitor Ms Catherine Irvine told Judge Dunne that the DPP had directed "trial on indictment on all matters" and was consenting to Mr Dunlop being returned to the next sitting of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The book of evidence was then served by the CAB officer on Mr Dunlop.

"This court is sending you forward for trial to the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court in the Four Courts in Dublin," Judge Dunne told Mr Dunlop.

The judge went on to inform Mr Dunlop that should he wish to use an alibi as part of his defence he must notify the State with the relevant names and addresses within 14 days.

Mr Dunlop, who recently received a masters degree in law at Trinity College, spoke once during his court appearance when he was asked if he understood the alibi notice to which stood up and replied: "Yes sir."

He was then remanded on bail in his own bond of €100 pending his appearance during the next term of the Circuit Criminal Court, which begins in January.

About 15 minutes after his case ended he left the Bridewell courthouse to be whisked away by a driver in a silver 06’reg Mercedes saloon.

The charges:

Charge 1. That you the said accused did on the 11th day of June 1992 at the offices of Frank Dunlop and associates Ltd, corruptly give the sum of €1000 as a gift to Sean Gilbride, for the benefit of Sean Gilbride, being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Sean Gilbride, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned.

CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 2. Did on a date unknown between the 12th of June 1992 and the 29th June

1992 inclusive at Conway's Public House 70 Parnell St Dublin, did corruptly give the sum of €1000 as a gift to Jack Larkin for the benefit of said Jack Larkin being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Jack Larkin, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 3. Did on a date unknown between 12 June 1992 and the 29th June 1992

within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give the sum of €1000 as a gift to Cyril Gallagher for the benefit of said Cyril Gallagher being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Cyril Gallagher,

voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned.

CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 4. Did on the 4th of May 1992 at the reception area of Dublin City Council corruptly give the sum of €3000 as a gift to Tom Hand for the benefit of said tom Hand being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Tom Hand, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E"

(Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 5. Did on the 4th of May 1992 at St John of Gods within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give the sum of €3000 as a gift to Don Lydon for the benefit of said Don Lydon being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Don Lydon, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 6. Did on a date unknown between Dublin City Council offices and Conway’s pub corruptly give the sum of €2000 as a gift to Tony Fox for the benefit of said Tony Fox being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Tony Fox, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 7. Did on a date unknown between 12 June 1992 and the 29th June 1992 at the offices of Colm McGrath in Clondalkin corruptly give the sum of €2000 as a gift to Colm McGrath for the benefit of said Colm McGrath being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Colm McGrath, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned.

CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 8. Did on a date unknown between 12 June 1992 and the 29th June 1992 within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give the sum of €2000 as a gift to Liam Cosgrave for the benefit of said Liam Cosgrave being a member of Dublin City Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Liam Cosgrave, voting in favour of a motion that Dublin City Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 108 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dublin City Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dublin City Council was concerned.

CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2 ) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916.

Charge 9. Did on 30 October 1997 a the Davenport Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Liam Cosgrave for the benefit of said Liam Cosgrave being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Liam Cosgrave, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 36.85 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT

1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 AND SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 10. Did on 30 October 1997 a the Davenport Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Liam Cosgrave for the benefit of said Liam Cosgrave being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Liam Cosgrave, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 88 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 AND SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 11. Did on the 23 December 1997 at Buswells Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Liam Cosgrave for the benefit of said Liam Cosgrave being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Liam Cosgrave, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 36.85 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 and SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 12. Did on the 23 December 1997 at Buswells Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Liam Cosgrave for the benefit of said Liam Cosgrave being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Liam Cosgrave, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 88 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 and SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 13. Did on 30 October 1997 at the Davenport Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Tony Fox for the benefit of said Tony Fox being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Tony Fox, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 36.85 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 and SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 14. Did on 30 October 1997 at the Davenport Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Tony Fox for the benefit of said Tony Fox being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Tony Fox, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising about 88 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 and SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 15. Did on a date unknown between 30 October 1997 and 25 December 1997 at the Davenport Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Tony Fox for the benefit of said Tony Fox being an office holder or Director Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Tony Fox, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising

about 36.85 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 and SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.

Charge 16. Did on a date unknown between 30 October 1997 and 25 December 1997 at the Davenport Hotel within the Dublin Metropolitan District corruptly give a sum of money as a gift to Tony Fox for the benefit of said Tony Fox being an office holder or Director Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council a public body, as an inducement to or otherwise on account of the said Tony Fox, voting in favour of a motion that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council resolves the lands at Carrickmines comprising

about 88 acres be zoned "E" (Industrial) in the 1993 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plan, a matter in which the said Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was concerned. CONTRARY TO SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1889, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1916 and SECTION 38 OF THE ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACT 1995.