Former An Bord Pleanála deputy chair Paul Hyde - who has been at the centre of recent controversy in relation to alleged conflicts of interest - is to face criminal prosecution.

Charges are being brought under the Planning and Development Act in relations to allegations of wrongdoing by Mr Hyde. The prosecution was initiated at the Dublin District Court in recent days.

The decision comes just weeks after a report into potential conflicts of interest in multiple decisions made at the planning body by former deputy chair Mr Hyde was referred to the gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A spokesperson for Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said: "The minister is aware that proceedings have been instituted against Mr Hyde."

In August, Mr O'Brien sent a report by barrister Remy Farrell SC regarding An Bord Pleanála to the gardaí and DPP, along with the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).

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Mr O'Brien ordered the review in April following allegations of conflicts of interest over some of the decisions made by Mr Hyde, who resigned from his role at the planning body over the summer.

In the unpublished report, Mr Farrell gave his opinion of three planning decisions made by Mr Hyde. Among the planning decisions probed by Mr Farrell was a case where the national planning body refused planning permission for a fasttrack apartment scheme in Blackpool, Co. Cork - a project located on a site close to property owned by a company in which Mr Hyde had a 25% stake.

Mr Hyde, who denied all allegations, stepped down as deputy chair after the investigations were launched.

Five separate judicial reviews are being sought over four housing developments in Dublin, as well as the one in Cork.