BUSINESSMAN JIM Kennedy, who is accused of numerous counts of corrupt payments to politicians, was served with a book of evidence yesterday and sent forward for trial.
The charges relate to the attempted rezoning of land owned by Jackson Way Properties at Carrickmines in 1992, and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.
Three former politicians and one Independent councillor were also served with books of evidence at Dublin District Court yesterday.
Mr Kennedy, who faces 16 charges, had been remanded in custody last Friday with consent to bail of €30,000 in his own bond and with an independent surety of €50,000. Bail was later taken up by Mr Kennedy, who appeared again at the District Court yesterday.
Judge Patrick McMahon was told by State solicitor Catherine Irvine that the DPP has consented to the defendant being returned for “trial on indictment” meaning the case is to be heard before a judge and jury at the Circuit Court.
Mr Kennedy, who was accompanied by his wife, Antoinette, and several family members, was served with a book of evidence by a Criminal Assets Bureau detective.
Three former politicians and a councillor charged with taking bribes to vote for rezoning of lands in Carrickmines in Dublin in the 1990s, were also sent forward for trial.
The DPP had directed “trial on indictment” meaning their trials are also to be heard before a judge and jury.
Yesterday at Dublin District Court, the four, who had their cases called separately were each served with a book of evidence. Their cases were also sent forward for trial at the present sittings of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Former Fine Gael councillor, TD and senator, Liam T Cosgrave (54), with an address at Merrion Park, in Blackrock, in south Dublin faces five charges.
He had replied “not guilty” when the charges were first put to him
It is alleged he received sums as an “inducement” or “reward” on a date between June 12th and June 29th, 1992; December 23th, 1997, at Buswells Hotel; and on October 30th, 1997, at the Davenport Hotel.
Former Fianna Fáil councillor Colm McGrath (54), from Swiftford, Saggart, Dublin, allegedly received a sum at his office in Clondalkin, between June 12th and June 29th, 1992.
Former Fianna Fáil senator and councillor Don Lydon (82), of San Antonio, Stillorgan Park Avenue, Dublin, allegedly received a sum at St John of Gods in Dublin, on May 4th, 1992.
Independent councillor Tony Fox (70), of Mountainview Park, Churchtown, Dublin 14, allegedly received sums on October 30th, 1997; as well as on a date between October 30th, 1997 and December 25th, 1997; and on a date between June 12th and June 29th, 1992.
Former Fianna Fáil councillor Seán Gilbride (69), of 18 Greenlawns, Skerries, Dublin, allegedly received a sum at the offices of Frank Dunlop on a date between June 11th and June 29th, 1992.
He was remanded in his absence to appear on November 18th after Judge McMahon heard he had been taken into hospital on Wednesday.