Dunlop to be sentenced next week

Former Government Press Secretary and lobbyist Frank Dunlop will be sentenced next week after detailed accounts of his bribes to county councillors were given at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Dunlop (aged 61), of Rathbeggan, Dunboyne, Co Meath faces up to seven years in prison and / or a fine of up to €50,000 for bribing several councillors - including former senators Liam Cosgrave of Fine Gael and Don Lydon of Fianna Fáil - to vote in favour of rezoning 108 acres of Carrickmines for industrial use.

Dunlop admitted he received a payment of IR£25,000 from Mr James Kennedy acting on behalf of Jackson Way Ltd, who were part-owners of the Carrickmines land in return for bribing the councillors. He was to receive another IR£100,000 if the motion was successful.

After the first vote failed, a new arrangement was made whereby Dunlop would receive no initial payment but get a bonus of IR£250,000 if the second vote passed. It was then agreed he would receive the value of one commercial acre of the land after its rezoning in lieu of the €250,000.

Dunlop again approached councillors with further payments and a second motion was passed on a 13-11 vote. Following the rezoning the land became "considerably more valuable", Detective Garda Martin Harrington told prosecuting counsel, Mr Sean Gillane BL.

Dunlop pleaded guilty to corruptly giving cash gifts to Fianna Fáil councillors, Tony Fox, Sean Gilbride and Colm McGrath and former senators Liam Cosgrave of Fine Gael and Don Lydon of Fianna Fáil between June 12, 1992 and December 23, 1997.

The locations of the bribes included Buswells Hotel, the Davenport Hotel, the offices of Colm McGrath, St John of God's and Dunlop’s own office.

Dunlop’s defence counsel, Mr Aidan Redmond SC, submitted that, since Dunlop had made admissions at the Flood (Mahon) Tribunal, "his life had ended".

"He has lost his business and his friends and has not worked since," Mr Redmond said.

The head of Dunlop’s legal team in his appearance before the Flood Tribunal, Mr Colm Allen SC, gave evidence that Dunlop deteriorated "physically and mentally" since he admitted the presence of a secret bank account known as the "war chest".

Professor Declan Sugrue, a consultant cardiologist, said that he had been treating Dunlop for a serious heart condition which he believed was directly influenced by his legal troubles.

Judge Frank O’Donnell said he needed time to consider the documents that were handed up and adjourned sentencing until next Tuesday.