The DPP has dropped all charges against businessman Jim Kennedy who was accused of bribing Dublin councillors over land rezoning.

The jury was discharged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after it emerged that the main prosecution witness, former government lobbyist Frank Dunlop (65) is in poor health. He was hospitalised a couple of weeks after the trial began in early July.

The former lobbyist did return to give evidence this week but his health problems persisted and today the jury, which had been kept in the dark on this matter was discharged.

Mr. Dunlop, who has served time in prison for corruption, gave evidence he had been given money by businessman Jim Kennedy to pay councillors to support the rezoning of lands in Carrickmines in South Dublin in the 1990s.

Mr Kennedy (66) of Cormorant Way, Queens Quay, Gibraltar, denied 16 counts of bribing local politicians.

Earlier this week, former senator and county councillor Don Lydon (74) of Santo Antonio, Stillorgan Park Avenue, Dublin was discharged from the corruption trial.

The case continued against former councillors, Liam Cosgrave (57) of Merrion Park, Blackrock and Colm McGrath (56) of Swiftwood, Saggart and sitting councillor, Tony Fox (72) of Mountainview Park, Churchtown.

The four politicians were accused of receiving corrupt payments. However the DPP today decided to drop all charges and entered a nolle prosequi against the 5 accused men.