Lawlor judge was previously involved in Quarryvale rezoning case

The High Court has been told that Judge Thomas Smith acted as a senior counsel and advisor for a company called Green Property Plc, which wanted the Quarryvale Centre in west Dublin rezoned.

Judge Smith is presiding in the alleged contempt case being taken against Liam Lawlor TD.

In a sworn affidavit to the court, counsel for Liam Lawlor, John Rogers SC, said that in May 1991, Dublin County Council had decided to reduce the size of Quarryvale from 500,000 sq. ft. to 280,000 sq. ft.

Mr Rogers said that Green Property Plc had engaged Judge Smith, who was then a barrister, to act as their counsel in their fight against the move.

The implications of this revelation are that Judge Smith may have to step down from presiding over the case because of a possible conflict of interest.