Tribunal hears of Dunlop plot to falsify evidence

Mr Frank Dunlop has admitted hatching a plot with a Dublin County Councillor to give false evidence to the Mahon tribunal.

He told the tribunal this afternoon he was contacted by Fianna Fáil's Mr Seán Gilbride when the tribunal was established.

He claimed the councillor was concerned at being implicated in planning corruption.

Mr Frank Dunlop

Mr Dunlop said Mr Gilbride asked him how much money he had given him in relation for his support of planning motions in the early 1990s. He said Mr Gilbride appeared surprised to learn the payments amounted to £12,000, but accepted it was true.

The lobbyist claimed they then both agreed to give "false evidence" in relation to their dealings with each other if asked by tribunal lawyers. Mr Dunlop would say that "anything declared by [Mr Gilbride] as received would be categorised as political donations."

Mr Dunlop said Mr Gilmartin tried to contact him again when he changed his evidence during his first stint in the Dublin Castle witness box in April 2000, and claimed he had bribed coucillors.

Mr Dunlop said he did not take the call, as his wife refused to let Mr Gilbride speak to him.

The tribunal heard claims Mr Gilbride was particularly concerned when the terms of reference of the inquiry were extended to include Quarryvale. He was a very good friend of Mr Ray Burke's, and he was concerned at possible allegations by Mr Tom Gilmartin against himself and the former minister.

Mr Dunlop said that while the councilor was of the opinion that nobody would believe Mr Gilmartin - who "scattered" around allegations - he did not want his name dragged into accusations of corruption.

Mr Gilmartin had always been a very vocal defender of Mr Burke's innocence in the face of corruption allegations, Mr Dunlop said.