The chairman of the Mahon tribunal today twice warned the public after they applauded property developer, Mr Tom Gilmartin, when he claimed those in power in 1989 had no interest in the people of this country.
Under questioning from counsel for the tribunal, Mr John Gallagher SC, about the £50,000 cheque he gave to then environment minister Mr Padraig Flynn in 1989, Mr Gilmartin said he made the payment in the belief it would help him get two major development projects he had planned for Dublin off the ground.
Momentarily upset, he rejected the suggestion that the money was anything other than a donation to Fianna Fail following on from a request the previous month from Mr Flynn for a "substantial donation" to ease the party's £3 million debt.
He said the payment was a legal political donation. "It had been suggested to me by a government official that I'd have to pay for justice," Mr Gilmartin said, indicating he did not feel he should have to pay money.
"I had to pay for the government of this country to do something about the crooks who were trying to cash in. I didn't feel I had to make a contribution. I was doing the country a favour.
"I thought it despicable that the people who run this country had no interest in the people of the country," he said, after making reference to the "rock-bottom economy ... young people queuing at the American embassy to get out and beggars on the streets" .
The public gallery burst into applause.
Judge Mahon warned the gallery that the tribunal was not the place for such behaviour but they could applaud outside if they wish.
Mr Gilmartin then said he had been accused of bribery and corruption. "I've a right of reply". The gallery applauded again and judge Mahon said he was not adjuring the witness over the first incident.
Mr Gilmartin said he had made Mr Flynn aware that elected representatives and planning officials were seeking bribes and attempting to stymie his plans as a means of extorting money. The Mayo TD indicated that the problems would ease if he made the payment, kept quiet and left the gardai to carry out its investigation.
He wrote the cheque against the advice of the chief valuer, Mr Michael McLoone, who was involved in Mr Gilmartin's attempt to buy land from Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council in west Dublin, Mr Gilmartin said.
Mr McLoone had advised: "give the effers nothing .. they'll take your money off you and then do nothing," Mr Gilmartin told the hearing. However, the developer decided "to give it a try" and directly after the meeting with Mr McLoone on the 2nd of June went to the Department of the Environment to make the payment.
"I'd risked everything, including my name .. I had to try something."
Mr Gilmartin rejected Mr Flynn's statement to the tribunal indicating the payment was for the TD's expenses in the upcoming election. He said when he arrived at the office the minister was in a hurry adn was packing a brief case and had a car waiting.
He said he wrote the cheque in front of Mr Flynn and asked who he should fill in as the payee. Mr Gilmartin says he was told to leave the cheque blank and leave it on the desk. He was then ushered out the door.
A copy of what Mr Gilmartin agreed was probably the cheque was put before the tribunal with "Cash" written in the payee area.
The signature and £50,000 figure was his writing but the word in the payee area was not, he said. The cheque was lodged on June 7 thinto Mr Flynn's account in his hometown of Castlebar.
The tribunal continues this afternoon.