Bank manager warned Gilmartin on paying Lawlor

A retired bank manager who made payments to Mr Liam Lawlor on behalf of Mr Tom Gilmartin warned the developer they could be construed as bribes, the tribunal has heard.

Mr Paul Sheeran told the tribunal he made a number of £3,500 payments to Mr Lawlor from the account of the Luton-based developer, who was unable to travel often to Ireland because of his wife's illness.

Mr Sheeran, former manager of the Bank of Ireland branch in Blanchardstown, said the payments were "not something I was happy about". He queried them with Mr Gilmartin, who assured him they were consultancy payments that would be repaid by Arlington Securities, the English company with which he was developing a shopping centre at Bachelor's Walk.

He said Mr Gilmartin "bitterly resented" having to make the payments, which were sanctioned by Arlington.

Mr Lawlor claims the payments were political donations.

Mr Sheeran said Mr Lawlor called to his branch in March 1989 and sought £10,000 from Mr Gilmartin's account. Mr Sheeran said he rang Mr Gilmartin, who refused to pay the money and also put an end to the £3,500 payments.

He said Mr Gilmartin took a dislike to Mr Lawlor from an early stage because he felt the politician was "always on the make".

According to the witness, Mr Gilmartin told him he was "besieged" with demands from councillors looking for money. Up to five of them were key people capable of organising their colleagues and were quite influential. Their demands were "substantial" and Mr Gilmartin was "appalled".

Mr Sheeran said he found it difficult to accept what Mr Gilmartin was telling him, but the developer insisted that six to eight councillors were looking for money from him.

He said he was instrumental in introducing Mr Gilmartin to Mr Lawlor through garageowner Mr Brendan Fassnidge, who happened to be in the Blanchardstown bank when the developer asked him for help.

According to Mr Sheeran, he met Mr Gilmartin when he was working with the Bank of Ireland in Luton in the early 1970s. They became friends and have remained so.

The inquiry continues today.