Former assistant Dublin city and county manager Mr George Redmond is seeking documents relating to lands in north county Dublin which are the subject of investigation at the tribunal.
The Ward River Valley parcel of land was acquired by Dublin County Council from developer Mr Michael Bailey in June 1989 for £30,000 to create a riverside park near Swords, Co Dublin. Mr Redmond denied last year that as part of the agreement to acquire the land he would waive an £18,500 levy on another development in Blanchardstown. The Forest Road lands in Swords, which had many planning difficulties, were sold by the Murphy group to Mr Bailey in 1988. The tribunal has alleged that Mr Redmond had a central role in the sale of the land but Mr Redmond has rejected this.
Yesterday, Mr Anthony Harris, Mr Redmond's solicitor, said his client sought documents relating to the acquisition of the Ward River Valley land. The second matter related to the Forest Road controversy. His client was anxious to see a copy of the Bord Pleanaala Inspector's report in relation to the matter to clear up factual matters. Mr Harris sought to call two council officials to give evidence, as the Forest Road and Ward River matters came within the terms of the tribunal.
The chairman said most of the matters should have been covered by cross-examination. He was not prepared at this time to make a general order bringing the officials back. He asked that the request be submitted in writing so the file could be checked. He said he appreciated Mr Harris's client did not have files and the tribunal did. "You can rest assured, Mr Harris, nobody is going to be excluded unfairly," the chairman said.