Mahon tribunal loses bid to pursue Lawlor estate

THE Supreme Court has upheld a ruling preventing the Mahon tribunal from pursuing the estate of TD Liam Lawlor for legal costs.

The court yesterday ruled the estate and Mr Lawlor’s widow, Hazel, are not liable for judgment mortgages obtained in 2002 and 2004 by the tribunal against lands in Lucan, including the family home Somerton House.

In July 2008, the High Court ruled the couple’s joint ownership, or joint tenancy, had not been severed on the death of Mr Lawlor in a car crash in Moscow in October 2005.