The former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, could be facing the threat of further imprisonment following fresh revelations of his business dealings at the Flood tribunal, writes Paul Cullen.
Mr Lawlor is the politician who Mr Frank Dunlop claims was secretly involved in land at Baldoyle, north Dublin, with the controversial businessman, Mr Jim Kennedy, and Mr John Caldwell, a solicitor, The Irish Times understands.
Mr Dunlop did not publicly identify the politician's name when giving evidence last Thursday, but was asked to furnish it in writing to the tribunal.
Within hours, tribunal lawyers wrote to Mr Lawlor seeking information on his involvement in the Baldoyle land.
If it is found that the former TD has withheld any information about his business affairs, he could face further contempt charges and possible imprisonment. He has already spent six weeks in jail for failing to co-operate with the tribunal.
Mr Lawlor responded immediately to the tribunal's request, and the arrival of his letter prompted a 20-minute break in the proceedings on Friday. There is speculation that the tribunal had planned to identify Mr Lawlor publicly, but decided not to do so after receiving his letter.
It is believed the politician threatened to issue a press statement if he was named publicly, but relented after receiving assurances that he would not be named at this stage.
Mr Kennedy and Mr Caldwell purchased options on two plots of land in Baldoyle in the late 1980s. Shortly after, Mr Dunlop and Davy Hickey Properties optioned up to 500 acres of land nearby.
The options were sold by the Kerry-born developer and friend of Mr Charles Haughey, Mr John Byrne, who had failed in a controversial attempt to rezone the former racecourse lands several years earlier.
Mr Lawlor introduced Mr Kennedy and Mr Caldwell to Mr Byrne, but denies he owns any stake in the company that purchased the options.
It is not known whether he entered into any other financial arrangement regarding the land with the two men, with whom he has had numerous business dealings.
He maintains he has provided the tribunal with all information in his possession or power of procurement in relation to his financial affairs. He declined to comment on the matter yesterday.
Mr Dunlop says he first met Mr Kennedy and Mr Caldwell in 1991 in relation to a land rezoning at Carrickmines in south Dublin.
However, Mr Caldwell maintains they met as early as 1989, in relation to the Baldoyle land, his lawyers told the tribunal last week.
Mr Dunlop's attempt to have the Baldoyle land rezoned failed in 1992 after massive media coverage and opposition from residents.
He later sold his option to a developer, Mr Seán Mulryan, for £1 million.