Ex-councillor in hospital bailed in corruption case

A former councillor charged with accepting money to vote for rezoning of lands in Carrickmines in Dublin in the 1990's, was remanded on bail in his absence today after a court heard he is in hospital.

Sean Gilbride (69) of 18 Greenlawns, Skerries, Dublin had replied “not guilty” when he was charged on October 23 last.

He allegedly received a sum at the offices of former Government press secretary and lobbyist Frank Dunlop on June 11 1992, as an inducement to or as a reward for voting in favour of rezoning of 108 acres of land in Carrickmines.

Last month, businessman Jim Kennedy, who is accused of corrupt payments to politicians, was returned for trial, in relation to an attempted rezoning of land owned by Jackson Way Properties at Carrickmines in 1992, and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.

Mr Gilbride, had been remanded on bail to appear at Dublin District Court today to be served with a book of evidence. The DPP had directed “trial on indictment” meaning his case is also to be heard before a judge and jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

However Judge Patrick McMahon heard that Mr Gilbride could not be served with the book evidence as he is currently in Beaumont Hospital.

He remanded the defendant, in his absence, to appear on December 9 next.

Three former politicians and a councillor charged with taking bribes to vote for rezoning land in Carrickmines have already been sent forward for trial.

Former Fine Gael councillor, TD and senator, Liam T Cosgrave (54) with an address at Merrion Park, in Blackrock, in south Dublin; former Fianna Fail councillor Colm McGrath (54), from Swiftford, Saggart, Dublin; former Fianna Fail senator and councillor Don Lydon (82), of San Antonio, Stillorgan Park Avenue, Dublin and independent councillor Tony Fox (70) of Mountainview Park, Churchtown, Dublin 14, had been served with books of evidence last month.