Four more apply for State to pay their costs

Four more parties at the planning tribunal have applied to have their costs paid by the State.

The largest application yesterday came from former RTÉ employee John McGrath, who is seeking €99,000 in legal costs.

Michael Staines, solicitor, for Mr McGrath, said his client was "a completely innocent party" to the tribunal, against whom another person had made an allegation, which he denied.

"As a result of this allegation, the tribunal wished to investigate not only that allegation but certain other involvements that my client had with his employer."

The co-founder of Century Radio, Oliver Barry, told the tribunal he gave £5,000 to Mr McGrath and another RTÉ executive in 1989. The second man acknowledged receiving £1,700 but Mr McGrath denied receiving any money and showed that he was abroad on the date of the alleged payment.

Mr Staines said his client had co-operated "fully and expeditiously" with the tribunal and was totally vindicated in everything he did.

He applied for costs on a solicitor/client basis as well as the more normal and restricted "party and party" basis, and also asked for costs to be given on the basis of acting as "solicitor and solicitor acting as counsel".

Tom Hogan, barrister, for Paul Kierans/Amev, now owned by Royal Sun Alliance, said it was equitable for his clients to be awarded their costs, estimated at €19,075.50.

Counsel said he was seeking costs on a solicitor/client basis, rather than "party and party" basis granted by the tribunal to other witnesses.