Developer claims he was told of alleged payments to Ahern

The Mahon (planning) tribunal was told some time ago by property developer Tom Gilmartin that he had been told by another property developer of alleged payments to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

The claim was made during a private meeting with the tribunal.

The claim by Mr Gilmartin has been rejected by the property developer concerned, Owen O'Callaghan, and by Mr Ahern.

In a lengthy opening statement in November 2005, the tribunal outlined a range of issues concerning Mr Gilmartin and Mr O'Callaghan's dealings involving the Quarryvale project in west Dublin in the early 1990s.

However, the matters aired in that opening statement have not yet been the subject of public hearings because of a legal challenge by Mr O'Callaghan. That challenge continues in the courts.

In the opening statement it was said that Mr Gilmartin had told the tribunal that Mr O'Callaghan had given money to Mr Ahern on two occasions, the amounts being £50,000 and £30,000.

The tribunal said it had been told by Mr O'Callaghan that he never made any such payment, and by Mr Ahern that he never received any such payments.

Mr Ahern also reminded the tribunal that he had taken successful libel proceedings arising from a newspaper report that he had received a cheque for £50,000 from Mr O'Callaghan.

These allegations have led to the tribunal looking into Mr Ahern's finances and at funds received by him in late 1993. The tribunal has been told the funds have nothing to do with Quarryvale but relate to legal bills Mr Ahern had to settle around this period.