Mahon tribunal: the costs

An inquiry into alleged planning irregularities and payments:

An inquiry into alleged planning irregularities and payments:

Established: November 1997

Duration: 12 years.

Staff: 50, including tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon and members Judge Mary Faherty and Judge Gerald Keys and 21 legal staff.

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Projected Cost: €194 million.

Witnesses: 400.

Legal challenges: 29 at a cost of €3 million, some €1.4 million recoverable from nine cases. So far less than €250,000 recovered.

Outcome so far: the Criminal Assets Bureau raised €18.7 million on foot of investigations at this tribunal and the Revenue Commissioners raised €32.5 million. Former lobbyist Frank Dunlop has been charged with corruption.

Fact: Over €600,000 in costs were sought from the estate of the late Liam Lawlor. Judgment mortgages were registered against his home at Somerton, Lucan, Co Dublin. In 2008, the High Court ruled the claim could not be pursued because Mr Lawlor’s interest in his property ceased when he died.