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A PROPERTY COMPANY carried out an “abuse of the democratic system” by paying substantial amounts of money to Dublin councillors in return for their support, the Mahon Tribunal has found.
In its final report, the Tribunal found that Monarch Group spent tens of thousands of euro between 1991 and 1996 to secure support for the rezoning of lands at Cherrywood in south Dublin, where it planned a major development.
Large numbers of councillors received payments, some of whom are yet to be identified.
The Tribunal found that “most, if not all” of these knew by 1992 that Monarch was funding the payments through a third party and that it “would require and was seeking their voting support at County Council meetings” for the rezoning.
However, it said that it was impossible to determine exactly how the payments affected councillors’ votes.
Five councillors are specifically named as having received corrupt payments. These are Fianna Fáil councillors Tony Fox, Colm McGrath, Don Lydon and GV Wright; and Fine Gael’s Tom Hand.
Tony Fox and Colm McGrath received corrupt payments from lobbyist Frank Dunlop, the Tribunal found.
Dunlop was paid €85,000 by Monarch between 1993 and 1995 as a way of “rewarding him for his efforts in promoting the Cherrywood project” as well as giving him additional funds “for disbursement to councillors”.
However, sports broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy, who carried out some services for Monarch and appeared at the tribunal, was found to have given evidence “in good faith”.
Although the company was engaged in a campaign of corruption, the Tribunal cleared O’Herlihy of any wrongdoing, finding:
The Tribunal was also satisfied that at all relevant times Mr O’Herlihy carried out his functions for Monarch in an entirely proper and professional manner.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett was also cleared of allegations that had been made against him. The Tribunal found that he opposed the Monarch development and had not lobbied his Fine Gael party colleagues to accept it.
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Was Micheál Martin one of the senior cabinet ministers who tried to interfere with #mahon? If so, forget expelling Bertie, he should resign. Sean Dorgan was the party secretary for FF under Ahern as well. It’s time he resigned as well. However neither of these men have an ounce of shame, so they’ll brazen it out, their bank accounts demand it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bPIXhXfmY&feature=player_embedded
Michael Martin defending Bertie and his horsey winnings. This man is completely devoid of shame and his moral compass is completely defunct. No wonder he was made FF leader.
If there is even an decent ounce in you Micheal, you will resign and expel Ahern, Burke and the rest of them from the party. Is there even the smallest bit of you that has a concern for this country.
Traitors. FF’ers are members of a party run by traitors, for the benefit of thieves and staffed at the bottom by fools.
Some of the councillors who solicited and received bribes are FG. Whole damn system is bent as are many within it. Others knew what was going on and said nothing…
They are indeed. I refer to FF as a mindset, you don’t join FF if you are in to politics, you join if you want to make lots of money for yourself and your friends/benefactors. That type of person exists everywhere but it does seem to define FF at its core. I disagree with FG politics but at least they have a political vision and belief system. I just really hate their vision
Your comment had me spluttering on my cornflakes Fagan – Fine Gael “have a political vision and belief system”??
FG have no distinct vision from Fianna Fáil, they are Fianna Fáil light in every way, (including corruption, not as bad, granted, but it is there.) I also seem to remember a certain ‘Good’ Taoiseach having questions to answer over his bank accounts, and a director of the associated bank concidentally getting a nice plum job in Brussels… Let he who is without sin etc…
And we haven’t forgotten FG campaining against quangos, yet at the last minute introducing a clause to legislation to allow a minister to overrule appointments…
The system is rotten, it’s not as bad as some other political systems yet, but we need to introduce tough laws and tribunal with teeth now.
300 million – will it result in convictions??
If you are foolish enough to think this is all in the past I suggest that you pay attention the next time your local council is doing a development plan. Still easy to spot the developers friends. And no they are not all FF. Developers are not loyal to any party. They cozy up to whoever is in power. It’s mostly been FF over the past 30 years that’s why so many FF councillors and TDs on the take.
Please note that the payments went to all the big parties not just FF. why are the media covering this up. Are they afraid to upset the Government Parties
Its very clear that the government need to take the power over planing decisions away from all councillors. they have proven they are not capable. Phil Hogan can talk about changing the law to facilitate collecting the household charge – let him talk about changing the law so that councillor corruption is ended and is meaningful to the people of this sad state.
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