Mahon Tribunal: The tribunal has refused Mr Liam Lawlor the right to cross-examine a witness after the former Fianna Fáil TD accused it of "covering up" evidence.
In the latest round of skirmishing between Mr Lawlor and the tribunal, Judge Alan Mahon stood down the witness, Mr Jude Campion, after the politician complained of the tribunal's "selectivity" in deciding which evidence to hear.
Last week, Mr Campion, a former amusement arcade employee, told the tribunal that Mr Lawlor, as well as former assistant Dublin City and County manager Mr George Redmond and solicitor Mr John Caldwell, regularly visited the premises on Westmoreland Street owned by Mr Jim Kennedy.
At the time, Mr Campion and his late father John were attempting to buy a site for a fuel depot at Coolmine.
According to Mr Campion, Mr Redmond put "stumbling blocks" in his way and Mr Kennedy advised him to pay £100,000 to Mr Redmond to clear these obstacles.
Yesterday, it emerged that Mr Campion made political contributions totalling £5,500 to three politicians who lobbied on his behalf in relation to Coolmine.
However, Mr Des O'Neill SC, for the tribunal, said the tribunal would not be conducting an inquiry into the planning history of the Coolmine land.
"In the name of God, did you ever hear such tripe," Mr Lawlor, who was due to begin his cross-examination of Mr Campion, responded.
Judge Mahon warned Mr Lawlor he was not entitled to address the tribunal in such a manner. If he persisted, he would not be allowed to speak at all.
Mr Lawlor said it was unacceptable for the tribunal to pick out allegations when it was doing nothing about other allegations regarding monies being sought by politicians and the manipulation of council activities. "I want you to rule on this," he told the chairman. "Did you ever even read the brief?"
Judge Mahon said these were the tribunal's decisions. If Mr Lawlor wished to make a point, he could do so in writing. He invited Mr Lawlor to cross-examine the witness on the basis of the documents circulated.
Mr Lawlor said the witness had made very serious allegations against Dublin county council that Mr O'Neill didn't want to "hear tell of".
Was this fair play, he asked. He had never met Mr Campion except in his official capacity.
Mr Lawlor said he wanted "clarity".
He was not going to tolerate this "cover-up".
Asked by the chairman to repeat this remark, Mr Lawlor said Mr Campion had made "outrageous" allegations against council officials.
The tribunal was trying to "gloss over" these. It had "selectively" brought Mr Campion in to do "a hatchet job", but this "wasn't going to work".
At this point, the chairman ruled that Mr Lawlor had abused his rights before the tribunal and would not be allowed to cross-examine.
"Will you get up and walk out like you did before?" Mr Lawlor called to the chairman, in a reference to a previous row at the tribunal.
Mr Lawlor's microphone was turned off but he continued to talk.
"You're trying to cover it up for so long and it's not working anymore," he shouted, as the tribunal adjourned for lunch and the judges left the hall.
After lunch, Judge Mahon repeated his refusal to allow Mr Lawlor cross-examine the witness yesterday.
If Mr Lawlor wished to do this at a later date, he could request the tribunal in writing, but he would have to undertake to comply with the tribunal's rulings.
