Tribunal cannot claim against Lawlor home

A HIGH COURT decision yesterday means the Mahon tribunal cannot pursue claims against the late Liam Lawlor’s home and lands in Lucan, Co Dublin, in order to meet legal costs of more than €430,000 due to it by the late TD.

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy ruled that when Mr Lawlor died in 2005, his interest in his family home and lands at Somerton, Finstown, Lucan, ceased and therefore various judgment mortgages granted to the tribunal against Mr Lawlor relating to the house and lands also ceased.

With Mr Lawlor’s death, the interest of the tribunal as judgment creditor regarding the house and lands “passed out of existence”, she ruled. Mr Lawlor had predeceased his wife without their joint tenancy in their home and lands being severed and, the house and lands accrued to Mrs Lawlor solely by right of survivorship.