Lawlor jail term put on hold

The Supreme Court has granted a stay on a High Court ruling that would have sent independent TD Liam Lawlor back to jail for seven days next week.

The three-judge Supreme Court said Mr Lawlor made an arguable case for an appeal against the ruling and to send him to prison prior to that appeal would not be just.

Mr Lawlor was jailed and fined £5,000 for his continued failure to comply with a High Court order compelling him to deliver details of his finances to the Flood Tribunal.

The former Fianna Fail TD's lawyer, John Trainor, argued today that High Court Judge Thomas Smyth did not properly adjudicate on certain matters when he decided that Mr Lawlor should serve a second week-long jail term for contempt of court.

Mr Trainor said Judge Smyth had failed to consider the fact that some of the documents requested by the Flood Tribunal are subject to privilege.

Mr Lawlor was due to re-enter Mountjoy Prison next Wednesday, but he has now been spared another spell behind bars due to the Supreme Court stay.