Lawlor withdraws from tribunal in protest

Liam Lawlor has withdrawn from the Mahon Tribunal after being denied the opportunity to make an oral submission this morning.

The disgraced former Fianna Fáil TD has asked to make a submission on expanded terms of reference announced by the tribunal this morning.

The tribunal said it was narrowing the scope of its inquiries to allow increased focus on certain planning matters and payments to politicians.

Mr Lawlor claimed the new terms gave the tribunal's three sitting judges the most sweeping powers imaginable and said he would challenge them in the High Court.

The former Dublin West TD, who is representing himself at the tribunal, has already served three prison terms totalling six weeks for failing to obey a High Court ruling ordering him to co-operate and hand over files to the inquiry.