Lawlor could face fourth stint in prison
The tribunal sat for the first time yesterday since the retirement of former chairman, Mr Justice Feargus Flood to hear further claims that the controversial politician was delaying its work.
Mr Lawlor was summoned to appear before the inquiry to explain what the tribunal argues is his unsatisfactory response to orders for discovery relating to the sale of one acre of land at his home in Lucan, Co Dublin for £690,000 in 2001.
Tribunal barrister, Des O’Neill said the former Fianna Fáil TD has a history of non-compliance with numerous orders of the inquiry.
In addition, millions of euro which had passed through Mr Lawlor’s bank accounts still required explanation.
“Unfortunately Mr Lawlor’s approach to discovery orders so far has been lamentable and has seriously delayed the tribunal,” Mr O’Neill said.
Appearing before the tribunal for the first time since December 2000, Mr Lawlor complained repeatedly that because of financial pressures, he has been unable to obtain documentation from a number of solicitor firms based overseas.
Since his last appearance, the 58-year-old former politician has spent a total of six weeks in Mountjoy Prison over his failure to comply with court orders related to the tribunal.
However, Mr O’Neill urged the tribunal to reject any suggestion that Mr Lawlor, who no longer has legal representation, had been hampered by a lack of legal advice.
Mr O’Neill accused Mr Lawlor of operating a deliberate policy to limit the amount of information he gave the tribunal about his financial affairs.
Mr O’Neill said Mr Lawlor’s explanation as to how money from the sale of his own land ended up in a Liechtenstein bank account towards the repayment of a loan should be viewed “with deep scepticism.”
Mr Lawlor said any omissions from his detailed correspondence with the inquiry had been unintentional.
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