Mahon Tribunal lawyers contest Redmond costs claim in court

Lawyers for the Mahon Tribunal are in the High Court trying to halt an action for costs by the former Dublin City and County Council official George Redmond.

The 87-year-old has also sought to challenge findings made in 2004 that he engaged in corruption and obstructed the inquiry.

Lawyers for the Mahon Tribunal said George Redmond has failed to fully explain why he delayed in bringing this action for costs.

They say he is now "grossly out of time" as it his claim is based on a finding from 2004 that he had engaged in corruption and obstructed the tribunal.

But Mr Redmond's lawyers said they delayed proceeding because they were awaiting the outcome of a landmark ruling handed down by the Supreme Court in 2010.

It found that the planning tribunal had no power to deprive the two directors of JMSE Ltd of millions in legal costs based on a finding they had hindered and obstructed the inquiry.

George Redmond claims that if his action is halted it will deprive him of having his costs determined in line with constitutional justice.