Rabbitte gives tribunal evidence about Dunlop meeting
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte has been giving evidence to the Mahon Tribunal today about the controversial rezoning of land at Ballycullen in south Co Dublin 14 years ago.
Mr Rabbitte, who was a Democratic Left councillor at the time, voted in favour of the rezoning in 1992.
Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has told the tribunal that he bribed several councillors in return for their support on the motion.
He also says he gave Mr Rabbitte £3,000 two weeks after the vote during a meeting at the Labour Party leader's house.
Mr Dunlop says this money was a political donation and not a bribe, but he wouldn't have handed it over if Mr Rabbitte had not supported the rezoning motion.
In his evidence today, Mr Rabbitte admitted meeting Mr Dunlop, but said the money handed over was £2,000 and he believed the meeting had taken place at a date later than that stated by the former lobbyist.
He also said he decided almost immediately to return the money.
