A property consultant has told the High Court there was "no request for funds" by Fianna Fβil national organiser, Mr Sean Sherwin, at a meeting with developer Mr Tom Gilmartin in the party's headquarters in late 1990.
Mr Colm Scallon (68), who was at the meeting, was called on behalf of Mr Sherwin, in his action alleging he was libelled in an article published in the Sunday Independent in January 1999.
Mr Sherwin claims words used in the article meant he had wrongfully solicited money from Mr Gilmartin for a sister-in-law, Ms Catherine Sherwin, who was a local election candidate.
Yesterday, Mr Scallon said that to his recollection, there was no mention at the meeting of money being given to anybody. There was no discussion at all about Mr Sherwin's sister-in-law.
Mr Scallon agreed Mr Gilmartin had identified during the meeting that at least part of the problem for his attempts to move on the Quarryvale and Bachelor's Walk projects was the obstruction of some councillors looking for remuneration. Mr Scallon said he had been introduced to Mr Gilmartin by a mutual friend.
Mr Scallon said Mr Padraig Flynn's name was not mentioned at the meeting, but there had been reference to Mr Liam Lawlor. Mr Gilmartin said he did not see how Mr Lawlor was needed as a consultant. Nobody mentioned a sum of £50,000.
Mr Scallon agreed it was clear that Mr Gilmartin had experienced people looking for money or bribes.
The hearing continues today.