Corruption case against Cosgrave 'an abuse of process', say lawyers

Lawyers for former Fine Gael politician Liam Cosgrave claim his prosecution on corruption charges is an abuse of process.

The ex-TD and Senator - of Merrion Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin - is trying to stop his trial on five charges of receiving corrupt payments in 1992 and 1997 in relation to land rezoning in Carrickmines.

Mr Cosgrave was prosecuted in 2005 and did community service for failing to declare a political donation from lobbyist Frank Dunlop.

Now the former TD is trying to stop his trial on more serious corruption charges.

His lawyers say the case is an abuse of process because the new charges arise from a statement Frank Dunlop made to the Criminal Assets Bureau prior to the 2005 prosecution.

They say this statement was in the hands of the DPP should have been disclosed to Mr Cosgrave at the time but wasn't and Mr Cosgrave, as a result, thought he had reached the end of the matter.

In reply, lawyers for the State say the former politician was aware an investigation was ongoing and he never sought or received any assurances from the DPP that no further charges would arise.