Aer Rianta chairman explains Lawlor backdoor exit

The chairman of Aer Rianta, Noel Hanlon, says the special treatment afforded to Liam Lawlor at Dublin Airport on his return from New York was given on compassionate grounds.

In a letter to the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mr Hanlon confirmed the request was made by board member and Fianna Fail activist, Dermot O'Leary.

Mr Hanlon said Mr O'Leary was acting to facilitate Mrs Lawlor, who was very distressed at the amount of media waiting at the airport.

The preferential treatment given to Mr Lawlor upon his return to Dublin ahead of his spell in Mountjoy prison has sparked a furore amongst the Opposition.