Wright denies he received #2,000 bribe from Dunlop

There was further pressure on the beleaguered Fianna Fáil TD Mr G.V. Wright last night after the Mahon tribunal heard claims he took a £2,000 bribe in the Dáil bar.

The lobbyist Mr Frank Dunlop alleged that he passed the politician the money wrapped in a newspaper in return for his support for a rezoning in north Dublin.

Mr Wright, who is already facing a drink-driving charge after an incident in which he knocked down a pedestrian last September, is one of four Fianna Fáil councillors Mr Dunlop claims he bribed to secure the rezoning of the land at Drumnigh, near Portmarnock, in 1993.

Mr Wright said in a statement last night: "I will be totally denying these further falsehoods when I get the opportunity to appear before the tribunal."

Mr Dunlop has also implicated the landowner and prominent car-dealer, Mr Denis Mahony, saying Mr Mahony "knew the way the world worked" when he approached him to lobby for the rezoning.

The tribunal also heard of the astonishing rise in value of Mr Mahony's land during the 1990s. He bought the 30 acres in 1991 for £190,000 and transferred it to his daughter after it was rezoned. In 2000 it was sold to a developer for £13.5 million.

Mr Wright has denied Mr Dunlop's allegation, although he says he did receive a £3,000 contribution towards election expenses. Mr Mahony accepts that he paid the lobbyist £10,000 and £2,000 but says this was a professional fee.

Apart from the payment to Mr Wright, Mr Dunlop says he gave £2,000 to Cllr Seán Gilbride, and £1,000 apiece to the late Cllr Cyril Gallagher and the late Cllr Jack Larkin. The politicians have denied his allegations.

Tribunal lawyers say there are "significant inconsistencies" in the versions Mr Dunlop has given them at different times.