Further complications in Lawlor case

The High Court has been told that Justice Thomas Smyth represented a witness 10 years ago who is scheduled to testify at the Flood Tribunal.

This is the second potential case of a conflict of interest in the contempt of court action being taken against Liam Lawlor TD.

Council for Mr Lawlor, John Rogers, told the court this morning that the Planning Tribunal wrote to Deputy Lawlor in May of last year.

In its letter, the Tribunal outlined the areas and individuals on which and whom Mr Lawlor would be questioned.

One of the individuals was a Mr Kennedy who Deputy Lawlor had a business relationship with.

John Rogers told the court that Judge Thomas Smyth, the presiding justice in this case, represented Mr Kennedy in 1989.

The case in 1989 is not related to the Planning Tribunal but it does give rise to yet another potential conflict of interest.

The hearing continues.