I refer to recent media speculation surrounding allegations attributed to Mr Liam Lawlor TD in respect of the former proposed development of the Sonas Centre project at the Phoenix Park racecourse.
It has been speculated that Mr Lawlor was offered £100,000 to support the said proposal.
This statement is being issued for the purpose of clarifying, once and for all, the actual facts pertaining to this matter.
For the record, I confirm that in 1994 I was asked by a director of the Sonas Centre project to meet with Liam Lawlor with a view to arranging a meeting to discuss the project. The director has been a personal friend of mine for several years, and when asked to introduce him to Mr Lawlor, whom he did not know, I was happy to accede.
The director asked to indicate to Mr Lawlor that he wished to discuss the project with him and also the possibility of him taking an advisory role on the project, if so required, dealing specifically with advice on community issues.
I subsequently met Mr Lawlor in the Berkeley Court Hotel and advised him of the above. While Mr Lawlor stated that he had no interest in becoming involved in the project due to his opposition to casinos generally, he did agree to meet with the director.
I informed the director that Mr Lawlor was willing to meet with him, gave him his telephone number, and therein ended my involvement.
At no time during our conversation, or at any time in my longstanding friendship and relationship with Liam Lawlor, did I offer him money on behalf of myself or anybody else, for this or any other project.
Furthermore, at no time during our conversation on the matter did I offer Mr Lawlor any specific position as a consultant to the Phoenix Park project. It was not within my authority or interest to do so.
Instead, I advised him of the fact that the developers of the project wished to meet with him, and any subsequent discussions would be between them and him.
These are actual facts relating to this issue. Any allegations to the contrary are untrue.
I do not intend to make any further comment in relation to this matter.