Allegations by Frank Dunlop that he was paid £5,000 by a developer to gain the support of county councillors for the building of a hotel on lands in north Dublin were made yesterday in a new tribunal module.
Mr Dunlop has also alleged that he paid the late Fianna Fáil councillor Cyril Gallagher £2,000 for his support in the development near Swords.
The allegations have been denied by developer Robert White and were denied by Mr Gallagher a year before he died.
In an opening statement yesterday Patrick Quinn SC, for the tribunal, said Mr White, a jeweller and property developer, was a director of Nosaka Ltd, a consortium formed to develop a 110-bed hotel on the lands.
Tim Collins, a director of architectural firm Pilgrim Ltd retained by Nosaka to prepare an application for a hotel and houses, contacted Mr Dunlop.
Mr Dunlop said after that he arranged to meet Mr White at the Shelbourne Hotel.
At the first meeting Mr Dunlop said Mr White informed him the application had been discussed with Fianna Fail councillors GV Wright and Mr Gallagher.
He said Mr White told him Mr Wright was fully supportive of the application whereas Mr Gallagher, although in favour of it, was dubious the council would support the development.
Mr Dunlop said Mr White asked him to act for him in a lobbying/PR capacity and gave the reason that it was essential to "make sure other people were looked after and that they remained onside".
Mr Quinn said Mr Dunlop's evidence was that it was agreed Mr White would pay him £10,000 with a £4,000 success fee.
They met again in the Shelbourne and there was a revised agreement that Mr White would pay Mr Dunlop £5,000 in cash with the remainder in three months.
On August 10th, Mr Dunlop said he was given an envelope which apparently only contained £3,000 in cash when £5,000 was expected. Later, on August 15th, Mr White gave the balance of £2,000 in cash.
Mr White has rejected all the claims that Mr Dunlop was paid in cash at any time for his services or that he was paid £5,000. He also rejected that he paid any money with the explicit intention or knowledge that he would ensure that "people remained supportive".
Mr White said he gave Mr Dunlop a cheque for £2,500 as an initial payment on his overall fee.
Mr Dunlop's involvement was for a very short period as he became aware Mr Dunlop was promoting a development on adjacent lands.
Mr Gallagher, who died in March 2000, said in a statement to the tribunal the previous year that the most he ever received from Mr Dunlop was £300 in election support or contributions and added that was if he did get it.
Mr Quinn said the tribunal was unable to trace any single lodgment to Mr Gallagher's account for £2,000 during the period.
Mr Wright in his statement said he met Mr White and was shown proposals for the lands. He said he received no payment or political donation in respect of this matter from Mr Dunlop.