Lawlor’s widow wins leave to challenge tribunal

THE widow of Liam Lawlor TD yesterday secured leave in the High Court to legally challenge the Planning Tribunal.

Hazel Lawlor, of Somerton House, Lucan, Co Dublin, is seeking a declaration from the High Court that the Mahon Tribunal may not make findings of serious misconduct against her late husband, who died in a car crash in Moscow in October 2005, unless supported by evidence proven beyond reasonable doubt.

She is also seeking a declaration that the tribunal may not make findings of serious misconduct against her unless supported by evidence proven beyond any reasonable doubt.

Ms Lawlor is also seeking an injunction restraining the tribunal from continuing with any public hearing on any matter affecting the applicant until further order of the High Court.

As well as this Ms Lawlor is also seeking an order directing the tribunal to correct the record of its proceedings for a particular day of evidence, by taking out the entry indicating that builder Séamus Ross had been paid a sum of £500,000 by Mr Lawlor.

Findings of serious misconduct, Ms Lawlor has claimed, would have such a damaging effect upon the reputation of Ms Lawlor and her late husband that the making of such findings on a civil standard of proof would amount to a failure by the tribunal to protect and vindicate the good name of Ms Lawlor.

She has submitted that Mr Ross did not state that Mr Lawlor paid him £500,000 and this “erroneous note” she claims has damaged the reputation of the Lawlors.

The tribunal, she has claimed, has wrongfully failed, refused or neglected to correct its own record despite vigorous requests from Liam Lawlor prior to his death.

The case will come before the court on February 21.