Lawlor referred to DPP for alleged perjury

The Planning Tribunal has announced its intention to refer former Fianna Fáil TD Liam Lawlor to the Director of Public Prosecutions for allegedly perjuring himself earlier this year.

The tribunal said today that it had decided not to refer Mr Lawlor to the High Court for failing to co-operate with its investigations because he had, albeit belatedly, handed over thousands of documents in July.

However, tribunal chairman Justice Alan Mahon said he was sending transcripts of the former TD’s testimony on July 8 to the DPP.

Justice Mahon said the tribunal believed Mr Lawlor had perjured himself on two occasions during his testimony by giving evidence that he knew to be untrue.

The tribunal chairman said he would also rule next month on whether Mr Lawlor should pay the costs involved in the current module of the inquiry, which dealt solely with the issue of the politician’s compliance.