Land sales `do not need inquiry'

Two controversial land sales in Navan, Co Meath, involving the brother of the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, do not…

Two controversial land sales in Navan, Co Meath, involving the brother of the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, do not require a public inquiry but some aspects of the deals could be referred to the Ombudsman's office, an investigation has found. A public inquiry was called for into the sale by Navan UDC to a development firm, Eracase Ltd, of land which it had purchased from a local publican, Mr Jim Curry. The land had been identified for use as a public car-park but became the location of an apartment complex after the UDC sold it on for £45,000 - the same price for which it was bought. The former owner said he had sold it to the UDC believing it would be used as a car-park. One of the principals in Eracase was Navan auctioneer Mr Loman Dempsey, a brother of the Minister, Mr Dempsey.