The former Dublin city and county manager, Mr Frank Feely, has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Mr George Redmond did not have responsibility for planning matters in 1987-88.
Mr Feely said Mr Redmond was one of four assistant managers reporting to him and was to all extents Dublin county manager except for planning and housing development, which were delegated to two other assistant managers.
He told Mr Angus Buttanshaw, defending, that these arrangements were in place because what was then Dublin Corporation was building houses in the county area, and planning had to be integrated across the whole area. Mr John Prendergast was the assistant manager in charge of planning.
Mr Feely told Mr Buttanshaw it would have been Mr Prendergast, not Mr Redmond, who would have drawn up the planning permission order with 12 conditions as directed by a Section 4 motion adopted by county councillors in relation to a petrol station on the Lucan bypass.
The jury has heard that final granting of this planning permission was dependent on the promoter, Mr Brendan Fassnidge, getting right-of-way access to the bypass through a strip of land.
Mr Feely was giving evidence on the fifth day of the trial of Mr Redmond (79), who has pleaded not guilty to two charges of corruption alleging he got £10,000 from Mr Fassnidge on a date unknown in 1987-88 relating to the sale of the right of way.
Ms Mary Allidine told Mr Brendan Grehan SC, defending (with Mr Buttanshaw), that she worked on October 14th, 1988, in the cash office at Dublin County Council. She signed a receipt issued to Mr Fassnidge of Grand Prix Motors Ltd for £10,000 dated that day.
Mr Paul O'Connell told Mr Grehan he was the architect engaged by Mr Bill Riordan to apply for planning permission for the petrol station. He did not know Mr Fassnidge personally until near the end of 1987, and Mr Fassnidge was mistaken in his recollection of when they first met.
Mr O'Connell said Mr Fassnidge was also incorrect in telling the jury he had denied being the architect for the project. Mr Riordan was dealing with Mr Fassnidge concerning this project and he understood Esso eventually built it. Mr O'Connell added that he was paid by Maraton Ltd, a company owned by Mr Riordan.
Mr Redmond denies he corruptly received money from Mr Fassnidge between June 1st, 1987, and May 31st, 1988, as an inducement in respect of the sale of the right of way at Palmerstown by Dublin County Council. He also denies accepting money for showing favour to Mr Fassnidge in relation to the sale of the right of way.
The hearing continues.