The chairman of the planning tribunal, Judge Alan Mahon, adjourned proceedings on the issue of costs today following heated exchanges between him and Mr Liam Lawlor.
In a submission to the tribunal Mr Lawlor denied that he was the source of a story in Phoenixmagazine in which it was revealed that Judge Mahon made a £20,000 settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in 1992.
It was when Mr Lawlor brought up the issue of tribunal procedures and in particular the evidence given to the tribunal last week by the developer Mr Seamus Ross that exchanges between the two men began to get heated.
Last week Mr Seamus Ross of Menolly Homes said he paid Mr Lawlor over £40,000 to get the postal address of a housing estate changed from Clondalkin to Lucan.
Today, Mr Lawlor said that he was not given a chance to cross-examine Mr Ross and said he was going to form a legal team to seek a judicial review in the High Court on the tribunal's proceedings.
At this point Judge Mahon attempted to interrupt Mr Lawlor and with the two men speaking over each other it became difficult to hear what either was saying.
Mr Lawlor's microphone was then cut, and Judge Mahon told him he was only concerned with the issue of costs and asked Mr Lawlor if he had any submission to make on that matter.
When Mr Lawlor maintained that tribunal proceedings were to do with the issue of costs, Judge Mahon again asked him if he had anything more to say on the issue of costs and if not he "would end it there".
Mr Lawlor's reply was direct and to the point. "I'm going to finish this whether you like or not," he said.
Judge Mahon then rose and walked out of the hall after saying off microphone and out of earshot of the gallery that he would rise.
When he returned after a short period, he said Mr Lawlor had abused his opportunity to make submission on the issue of costs and adjourned proceedings until a later date.