Councillors to face claims of corruption

Former lobbyist Frank Dunlop is to make further allegations of corruption against three Dublin county councillors at the planning tribunal today in connection with a land rezoning in north Co Dublin.

Mr Dunlop is the first witness to be called in a new module of the Mahon tribunal dealing with the rezoning for industry of lands at Lissenhall, near Swords, in the early 1990s.

Among those scheduled to give evidence in this module is former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who was involved in an investment consortium that planned to buy the lands after they were rezoned. Contracts were signed but not executed when delays led to the group pulling out of the deal.

Up to the 1990s, the Lissenhall lands were owned by local landowner Declan Duffy and then sold to Rayband Ltd, whose directors included members of the Moran family of housebuilders.

Mr Dunlop said Tim Collins, a friend of the Taoiseach's who gave evidence in a separate module earlier this week, introduced him to the project.

Mr Dunlop alleges he was paid at least £5,000 for his work on the project, which included the preparation of a rezoning motion and arranging to have it signed.

He claims he paid Fianna Fáil councillors Cyril Gallagher and Tony Fox and Fine Gael councillor Tom Hand £1,000 each to support the development. Mr Fox denies ever receiving money from Mr Dunlop while Mr Gallagher and Mr Hand are deceased.

The motion, which was successful, was signed by Mr Gallagher and Fine Gael councillor Anne Devitt. Some 22 witnesses are to be called in this module.