O'Callaghan disputes the evidence of his rival developer

The Cork developer Mr Owen O'Callaghan has rejected much of the evidence given to the tribunal by rival developer Mr Tom Gilmartin.

Beginning his own evidence yesterday, Mr O'Callaghan accused his rival of mixing up dates and meetings, telling lies and refusing to listen to others for advice.

He also told the tribunal of his "surprise" on being told by Fianna Fáil TD Mr Liam Lawlor that two ministers had asked Mr Lawlor to "look after" Mr Gilmartin.

Mr Lawlor's claim is noted in a November 1988 memo made by Mr O'Callaghan, in which the TD is also quoted as saying that the ministers, Mr Pádraig Flynn and Mr Ray MacSharry, would prefer if "nothing happened" on Mr O'Callaghan's site.

At the time, both developers were trying to build shopping centres in west Dublin.

Mr Gilmartin's site at Quarryvale had the best location, by the intersection of the M50 and the Galway road, but was not zoned for a town centre.

In contrast, Mr O'Callaghan's site at nearby Neilstown had the required zoning, but was in an inferior location.

Yesterday, Mr O'Callaghan said he believed Mr Lawlor was "genuinely concerned" that the two developers were "getting into something of a mess" over their respective sites. The TD was trying to be helpful.

He understood Mr O'Callaghan's remark to mean that Quarryvale, although it had planning difficulties, enjoyed ministerial support and would probably get planning permission.

According to Mr O'Callaghan, Mr Gilmartin was "completely wrong" in his evidence about their early contacts. He had mixed up the dates and times of meetings between the two men.

Whereas Mr Gilmartin had claimed the two men met in the Royal Dublin Hotel, Mr O'Callaghan said he had never been there.

He believed their meetings took place in the Shelbourne Hotel and an airport hotel.

Asked whether he had "political clout" - as Mr Gilmartin has quoted him as saying - Mr O'Callaghan said he had no clout at this time. As for now, he knew some people in politics, but he wouldn't classify this as clout.

He said he had "no option" but to continue with his plans for Neilstown after Mr Gilmartin failed to pay the last £1.35 million instalment due under an agreement signed by the two developers in January 1989.

This provided for Mr Gilmartin to purchase Mr O'Callaghan's company's interest in the Neilstown site.

Asked about Mr Gilmartin's evidence that the payment schedule was much longer than that claimed by Mr O'Callaghan, the witness said this was "a shocking lie".

"I just wanted to get my money and go away and leave Quarryvale to Tom Gilmartin," he said.

Mr O'Callaghan recalled being told by assistant Dublin city manager, Mr Seán Haughey, that Mr Gilmartin had told him Dublin was "awash" with corruption and nothing could be done without spending money on councillors.

He said he told Mr Haughey he could neither confirm nor contradict this claim, as he had no familiarity with the situation in Dublin.

He also recalled accompanying Mr Gilmartin to Buswells Hotel in early 1989, where Mr Gilmartin was to meet a Fianna Fáil councillor, Mr Finbarr Hanrahan.

He said Mr Gilmartin emerged from this meeting looking "quite upset". He told him Mr Hanrahan had looked for £100,000.

Mr Gilmartin said that after all he had done trying to bring the "barefoot emigrants" back from Luton, here was "this effer" looking for £100,000.

He vowed to go to the Dáil and tell government ministers the following day.