Amid allegations of demanding €360,000 to withdraw a planning appeal, an independent electoral candidate from Limerick faces a lawsuit brought forth by a Galway development corporation. Pat O’Neill, who had previously represented Fianna Fáil in North Limerick during the local 2019 elections prior to becoming independent, is comprehensively denying, alongside his representative, the compensation claims.
Mr O’Neill had objected to a decision by the Galway City Council that approved permission for a major development plan propounded by Strategic Land Investments Ltd (SLI), arguably one of Galway’s most extensive ever. SLI alleges in their legal proceedings that an offer was made by Mr O’Neill and his agent to rescind their appeal in return for a payoff of €360,000. This practise of demanding ‘go-away money’ as a measure to avert the obstruction of a property development is well-known, though both Mr O’Neill and his agent strongly refute the allegation.
Hailing from Clonmacken, Caherdavin, Mr O’Neill plans to contest in the forthcoming elections on June 7th, as an independent candidate. Emphasising his decision to contest the accusation made by SLI, he disclosed that all necessary documentation was with his legal representative and vowed a strong defence.
Mr O’Neill’s representative in this matter, Liam Carroll from Rooaunmore, Ardrahan, Co Galway, also contested the allegation of the compensation and communicated his intention to present a defence and countersue.
In the previous year, SLI had filed a request for a six-hectare parcel, located on the northern edge of Galway City, with proposals to construct high-rise office buildings, 309 residential apartments, a hotel, and a leisure facility. It was in December 2020, that objections were raised against the proposed development by Mr O’Neill through a Belfast-based planning consultant. Galway City Council eventually granted the development permission on 11th August 2021.
On 31 August 2021, An Bord Pleanála received an appeal from Mr O’Neill, the sole opponent to a proposed construction project. According to Mr O’Neill, the planned development was inconsistent with the city development plan’s zoning objectives and strategic policy. He believed that it was excessive and violated spatial planning and national road guidelines.
The court action documents, submitted by SLI in September 2023, recounted that Mr Carroll had been given legal authorisation by Mr O’Neill to represent him after a discussion in late 2021. Mr Carroll, Mr O’Neill, and SLI had correspondences, chiefly via Finian Hanley, a stakeholder and director. Several meetings and talks took place as well.
Mr O’Neill messaged Mr Hanley on 11 November 2021, giving Mr Carroll permission to liaise with SLI, according to the claim statement. On 6 December, Mr. Carroll wrote Mr Hanley to initiate a solution to the controversial issues. Mr Carroll wrote, signing as ‘Liam’, that he had confidence a payment of €360k would completely resolve the issue. He assured this offer would last until the end of the next business day. He stated if accepted, his charge would be 1 per cent.
The claim statement accuses Mr Carroll of unequivocally offering to cancel the planning appeal in exchange for a payment of €360,000 and his 1 per cent fee. Following additional talks, SLI refused to pay both the commission and the sum, according to the firm. The following year in September 2022, An Bord Pleanála declined permission on several bases, including the assertion that the development would significantly violate the site’s zoning objective and contradict the city’s strategic development policy and goals.
SLI has accused Mr O’Neill and Mr Carroll of participating in a scheme primarily aimed at improperly amassing wealth for themselves. The company has taken legal action, demanding reimbursement for claimed monetary loss precipitated by the duo’s appeal to the planning board. In addition, numerous serious allegations have been made by SLI, including attempts to intimidate, extort, defraud, and deceive.
Mr O’Neill and Mr Carroll reportedly failed to present a defence, resulting in SLI filing a petition for default judgement. The hearing took place on 9th February of the current year. At the hearing, Mr O’Neill was represented and was given an extension until the 10th of June to provide a defence. The court was informed that Mr Carroll had requested a postponement of his case in a letter to the judge. This was granted, with a new date set for the 8th of July.
Mr Carroll has confirmed that he is planning to defend himself in the case. He dismissed the claim that Mr O’Neill had requested money in exchange for withdrawing the planning appeal. He stated unequivocally that Mr O’Neill made no such demand.
According to Mr Carroll, Mr O’Neill owns and operates significant business interests from three retail locations within the heart of Galway City – Shop Street and Eyre Square – and stands to be negatively impacted by the proposed development. Due to this, Mr O’Neill provided relevant objections to the local authority and subsequently to An Bord Pleanála. Mr Carroll confirmed that these objections held validity.
Anticipating an upcoming court appearance, Mr Carroll expressed a desire to present evidence and see the legal dispute with SLI resolved.