Cosgrave corruption trial lawyers ask for release of documents

Lawyers for former Fine Gael politician Liam Cosgrave are asking the High Court for documents to be released as part of efforts to stop his trial for alleged corruption.

The ex-TD and Senator is challenging his prosecution on five charges of receiving corrupt payments in 1992 and 1997 in relation to land rezoning in Carrickmines.

Liam Cosgrave's trial is due to go ahead this October with Frank Dunlop pencilled in as a key witness.

However, Cosgrave has gone to the High court to try halt the case, arguing that it is an abuse of process.

It is claimed he was already prosecuted in 2005 for failing to declare a political donation and that these new charges arise from the same factual matrix, namely from statements given by Frank Dunlop.

Before the challenge goes to hearing, Liam Cosgrave's legal team is trying to secure access to five classes of documents, including correspondence between the DPP and the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Cosgrave's co-accused businessmen Jim Kennedy, who is accused of making corrupt payments, is to make a similar application for discovery as part of efforts to stop his criminal trial.