Mahon Tribunal Hears Of £IR24,000 Payment To Lawler

The former developer of Blanchardstown shopping centre has told the Mahon Tribunal he made payments to the late Liam Lawlor as a planning consultant.

John Corcoran, Managing Director of Green Property, said he gave Mr Lawlor two payments totalling nearly £IR24,000 between 1988 and 1991.

Mr Corcoran said Lawlor was a very avaricious man and was driven by money, adding that Mr Lawlor would show up at his office in his chauffeur-driven car on his way to the Dáil and produce invoices saying he 'wanted a few bob'.

He said Mr Lawlor decided the method of payment; one payment was made through a company called Economic Reports and the other through Comex.

Mr Corcoran said Mr Lawlor might have been involved in lobbying to get tax designation and a by-pass for Blanchardstown.

Last week, Green Protperty’s former financial director David McDowell said he couldn't think of any reasons why £IR24,000, given to Mr Lawlor through bogus invoices, would be concealed and said he was not aware of any work which Mr Lawlor had done for Green Property.

He added he had no idea why Mr Corcorcan felt it necessary to pay Mr Lawlor IR£10,000 in cash via another company nor did he have any idea why Fiana Fail Cllr Marian McGennis got a IR£5,000 donation as a bank draft rather than by cheque.

(DW)