Mr Joe Murphy jnr told Mr James Gogarty in 1988 that Mr George Redmond, then an assistant Dublin city and county manager, was owed "a few quid" for services to a Murphy executive, the Flood tribunal heard yesterday.
Mr John Gallagher SC, for the tribunal, asked Mr Gogarty if he had read an article in the Irish Independent last Wednesday by Mr Sam Smyth. Mr Gogarty said he had.
Mr Gallagher said he did not know if Mr Colm Allen SC (for the Baileys and Bovale Ltd) was going to put the matter to him (Mr Gogarty) as their case, but there had been allegations in print and in public and he wanted to put questions arising from the article.
"Did you ask Mr Michael Bailey or Thomas Bailey or Bovale for any money to secure the sale of the six lots referred to in the terms of reference or any other property?"
Mr Gogarty said: "No, never."
Mr Gallagher asked if he was ever offered any such payment by Mr Michael Bailey, Mr Thomas Bailey or Bovale in relation to or in order to secure the sale of the six lots or any other property.
"No," Mr Gogarty said.
Mr Gallagher asked: "Apart from the £50,000 cheque drawn on the Bank of Ireland in Montrose, did you receive £50,000 or any sum from or on behalf of Mr Michael Bailey, Mr Thomas Bailey or Bovale in relation to the sale of the six lots or any other property?"
Mr Gogarty replied: "No".
Mr Gallagher said that on February 4th last Mr Gogarty gave evidence of a meeting (in 1988) attended by himself, Mr Joe Murphy jnr and Mr George Redmond. Mr Gogarty alleged that Mr Redmond had an agreement for 10 per cent of the savings on a renewed planning application.
"Was there any further reference that you can recall about the payments of any such monies to Mr Redmond?" counsel asked.
Mr Gogarty said that later on Mr Murphy jnr said he would sort it out. Once the letter from Grafton to Dublin County Council which he signed was sent, he heard no more about it for some time.
Mr Murphy was blaming Mr Liam Conroy for committing himself (to any agreement with Mr Redmond). Mr Denis McArdle, solicitor, had told him that the Murphy group had got an extension of two years on the services.
Mr Gallagher asked what he meant by saying Mr Murphy jnr would sort it out.
"Well, I took it he paid him the money," Mr Gogarty said.
Mr Gallagher asked: "To whom?"
Mr Gogarty replied: "To Mr Redmond."
Asked what money he was talking about, Mr Gogarty said: "There was figures being dangled about, the figure that basically I understood was the 10 per cent of whatever savings. I don't know what the savings were and I think there was a mention earlier on with Junior that he [Mr Redmond] was owed a few quid as well on top of that from previous services he provided."
Mr Gallagher asked: "When you say service he provided, you are talking about Mr Redmond providing services to or for somebody else?"
"To Conroy," Mr Gogarty replied.