Tom Gilmartin has denied being the source of a leak from the Planning and Payments Tribunal.
The tribunal heard today that he was accused of leaking information by Michael McDowell SC who was acting for developer Owen O'Callaghan.
The leak concerned a story in the Sunday Independent in November 1998 which revealed that the inquiry had sent a letter of discovery to witnesses, including developer Owen O'Callaghan.
Mr Gilmartin said he was contacted by journalist Jody Corcoran who said he understood that the tribunal had written to him.
He said he replied 'how did you know?' and that Mr Corcoran replied 'thank you very much'.
He said Mr Corcoran told him he overheard Des Richardson saying at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis that Bertie Ahern was pulling out of opening the Quarryvale centre because the tribunal were writing to witnesses and that he did not want to be caught up in the headlines.
The tribunal heard that Mr McDowell demanded an investigation into the leak and wanted the Sunday Independent prosecuted.
