Flood dismisses Dublin auctioneer's challenge

The Flood Tribunal has ruled that certain questions relating to alleged bribery, conflicts of interest and secret payments in a number of land deals do not amount to accusations against a Dublin auctioneer.

Lawyers for Mr John Finnegan had lodged a challenge against the tribunal's right to inquire into his conduct as an auctioneer - specifically relating to a series of six land deals he conducted with builders Mr Tom Brennan and Mr Joe McGowan.

Mr Dominick Hussey SC, for Mr Finnegan, claimed yesterday questions put to Mr McGowan by tribunal lawyers amounted to allegations of corruption against his client. He demanded the line of questioning be halted and the accusations be withdrawn.

But Mr Justice Feargal Flood ruled satisfactory explanations of Mr Finnegan’s role in the land deals had yet to be heard. He said the questions put to Mr McGowan were "possible" explanations, rather than direct accusations of corruption.

"The questions were designed to elicit further information from witnesses," he said.

He said the tribunal had shown Mr Finnegan received a total of over £600,000 from the transactions, even though he had no interest or involvement in four of the properties concerned.

Further questioning of Mr McGowan on the subject was therefore justified, he said.