A property developer has pleaded not guilty to three charges of making corrupt payments totalling €80,000 to a politician in 2006.
Michael Ryan (60), with addresses at Al Eile Stud, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, and The Sweepstakes, Ballsbridge, Dublin, denies making corrupt gifts to then-town councillor Fred Forsey jnr by crediting his bank account in Dungarvan with payments of €60,000, €10,000 and €10,000 in August, October and December 2006.
Witnesses scheduled to give evidence for the State include Fine Gael TDs John Deasy and Paudie Coffey, former and current Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Council members and officials, gardaí, bank staff and Mr Forsey’s wife, Jenny Forsey.
The payments are alleged to have been made as an inducement or reward to Mr Forsey to use his position as councillor to secure a change in the planning status of a piece of agricultural land outside Dungarvan, to permit housing or industrial development.
According to the charges, the payments were intended to induce or reward Mr Forsey to solicit county council members or officials to support the land redesignation, and to attempt to influence policy at the town council in support of the development.