The former lobbyist Mr Frank Dunlop has made statements to the gardaí in relation to an investigation into the former Fine Gael TD and senator, Mr Liam Cosgrave. Conor Lally reports.
It is the first time details have emerged of contact between Mr Dunlop and gardaí investigating alleged planning corruption. Mr Cosgrave (48) is under investigation for his alleged failure to declare money given to him by Mr Dunlop.
The investigation is being conducted by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation under Chief Supt Seán Camon. It was established last year following a direction from the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy. It is understood Mr Dunlop, who is currently abroad, gave statements to detectives at meetings in recent weeks.
When contacted by The Irish Times last night, Mr Dunlop declined to comment. "I am under instructions from the tribunal not to comment on any matters."
Mr Cosgrave, who resigned from Fine Gael last year, said he was aware of reports linking him to a Garda investigation. However, he said gardaí had not been in contact with him.
Mr Cosgrave, the son of the former Taoiseach Mr Liam Cosgrave, has denied evidence given by Mr Dunlop to the Mahon tribunal that he was one of a number of public representatives to receive donations in exchange for their votes on rezoning.
At the tribunal last April, Mr Cosgrave admitted defrauding the Revenue Commissioners, and breaking solicitors' accounting procedures in relation to a payment he received from Mr Dunlop.
Mr Cosgrave also admitted using the account of a dead client in his solicitor's practice to conceal the £1,815 payment. He claimed it was paid for legal fees, but Mr Dunlop says it was a political donation.
Mr Cosgrave dramatically changed his account of payments received from Mr Dunlop. He revised the evidence he gave to the Fine Gael inquiry and to the tribunal by more than doubling the amounts he acknowledges receiving from Mr Dunlop.
The admission was made in two statements furnished to the tribunal on April 1st, 2003, in which he acknowledged receiving almost £8,000 in payments.
However, he insisted that all payments were "legitimate political donations" aside from one payment of £1,815, which he said was for legal services. This was an "improper payment" because no tax or VAT was paid on it.