All corrupt politicians must pay.

AS the first public official convicted of corruption in the history of the State, the guilty verdict in the trial of former Dublin assistant city and county manager George Redmond marks a watershed in the fight against white collar crime.

For decades, few figures have been more involved in the planning process in and around the capital. His conviction on two counts of corruption lends weight to the call by Labour spokesman Eamon Gilmore for other cases to be re-examined.

Up to now, As Mr Gilmore points out, there was a widespread assumption that it was virtually impossible to secure the conviction in the courts of a person charged with corruption.

If anything, public scepticism intensified following the failure to initiate prosecutions after Mr Justice Feargus Flood alleged that 'corrupt' payments had been made. It would be travesty of justice if the uncompromising Flood Report is left to gather dust on the DPP's shelf.

The Redmond conviction in the circuit criminal court shows it is possible to secure a conviction in certain cases. If people are to have confidence in the public service, and particularly in the planning process, corrupt officials must be brought to book.