Cyril Gallagher's counsel denies bribery allegation

Frank Dunlop alleges that he gave north Dublin counsellor Cyril Gallagher (deceased), £18,000 between 1991 and 1993 in return for rezonings around Swords. His counsel argue that there is no documentary evidence. If they were corrupt payments there is bound to be no documentary evidence, it was in cash allegedly.

Mr Montgomery said Mr Dunlop was completely wrong; Mr Gallagher had not asked for the money and it was not given. It was Mr Dunlop’s word against Mr Gallagher’s, and Mr Gallagher was dead.

Mr Dunlop said he rejected this. It was sad that Mr Gallagher was dead. He had attended his funeral. The money he gave Mr Gallagher paled into insignificance in comparison to what others got and he had made far greater allegations against councillors who were still alive.

The tribunal is investigating claims by Mr Dunlop that a landowner, Robert White, paid him £5,000 in the early 1990s to keep certain councillors “onside” for an application to build houses on agricultural land owned by the Duff family.

Mr White acknowledges paying Mr Dunlop £2,500 by cheque for public relations work but denies asking the lobbyist to influence councillors.

Yesterday, it emerged that Mr Dunlop alleges he paid Mr Gallagher a total of £18,000 between 1991 and 1993 in return for his support for various rezonings.

He said Mr Gallagher knew Swords like the back of his hand and had a good idea of what could be done and what could not in planning terms.

Gallagher noted before he died:

Mr Gallagher, who died in March 2000, said in a statement to the tribunal the previous year that the most he ever received from Mr Dunlop was £300 in election support or contributions and added that was if he did get it.