A former Democratic Left councillor has admitted receiving a total of £9,000 for a youth charity from a company that got an increase in housing density on rezoned land.
Michael Billane told the Mahon Tribunal that the money was paid in three instalments by Ballycullen Farms between February 1996 and March 1998 for the refurbishment of an outdoor pursuits centre in Co Wicklow.
Mr Billane said he supported a motion to nearly double the housing on the company's lands in February 1996 because this would make the units more affordable and give more work to builders.
Mr Billane said he was aware his then party leader Pat Rabbitte had returned a £2,000 donation in 1992 but did not know where it came from.
He said he supported the original rezoning of Ballycullen on its merits in October 1993 but voted against when it came up again a year later on instructions from the party whip.
