Gilmartin concludes direct evidence to Tribunal
Property developer Tom Gilmartin has concluded his direct evidence to the Mahon Tribunal.
Yesterday, Mr Gilmartin claimed former government minister Padraig Flynn asked him to lie to the tribunal during a telephone conversation in 1998.
He said Mr Flynn asked him to tell the tribunal that he (Flynn) had returned a £50,000 donation he received from Mr Gilmartin in 1989.
In his evidence this morning, the property developer said Mr Flynn wanted the two men to get their story straight as he felt the £50,000 donation could damage his career as a European Commissioner.
He said he felt bad that he was putting Mr Flynn in such a situation as he was more honest than a lot of other politicians at the time.
He said he initially promised not to give evidence about the donation to the tribunal, but changed his mind at a later stage.
Mr Gilmartin will now be questioned by lawyers representing the people he has made allegations against.
The Taoiseach’s senior counsel began the cross-examination this morning by attempting to highlight differences between the property developer’s original statement to the tribunal and the direct evidence he has given over the past 10 days.
Lawyers for Mr Flynn, former Fianna Fáil TD Liam Lawlor and former assistant Dublin city and county manager George Redmond are also expected to quiz Mr Gilmartin later today.
