Tánaiste criticises media coverage of Lawlor’s death

The Tánaiste Mary Harney has hit out at media coverage of Liam Lawlor's death.

A number of newspapers are today either apologising for, or clarifying claims that the former Fianna Fáil TD was in the company of a prostitute when his chauffeur-driven Mercedes crashed in Moscow.

It has been confirmed that Julia Kushnir is an interpreter who arrived in the Russian capital from Prague with Mr Lawlor on Friday night.

Mary Harney said it had to have been “very, very distressing” for Mr Lawlor’s family to have read some of the reports in the tragic circumstances.

She added that it was unfortunate, and that it was “a pity it had happened”.