Lawlor was a plague and a threat, tribunal told

Mr Liam Lawlor was a "plague" and a "threat" who was constantly demanding money for favours done, a leading housebuilder has told the tribunal.

Mr Séamus Ross said Mr Lawlor was constantly interfering in his business and letting him know about the "good turns" he had done for him.

Asked to explain why he repeatedly gave money to the former Fianna Fáil politician, Mr Ross said he was "very unhappy" about paying Mr Lawlor money but he didn't know whether to "keep him onside or reject him totally".

"He would leave you in no doubt that he had certain powers and would use them against you as well as for you."

Mr Lawlor says he has received £25,000 in political donations from Mr Ross, according to a 1991 letter from him to the builder which was read to the tribunal yesterday.

At this time, around the start of the boom in the late 1990s, Mr Ross said he had a lot of planning applications for houses "in the system" and this gave him concern. "Maybe he might know someone somewhere in a local authority who could work against you," he said of the politician.

On New Year's Day 1998, Mr Ross booked a suite at the Fairyhouse races, and Mr Lawlor and his wife were invited.

The builder had a successful day and his horse won a race. In the evening, Mr Lawlor asked him if he had any money.

Mr Ross told him he had "a few pounds in the house" and later gave him £5,000 in cash.

But afterwards he was angry and made up his mind to end "this carry-on".

"I was angry with Liam Lawlor. He was like a plague, always in your face, making himself friendly." He decided to "shake off" the TD.

However, shortly after, Mr Lawlor came back again for money. Mr Ross ordered him out of the office but felt sorry for him on the way out and offered to give him a discount on a house.

Mr Ross said he sold Mr Lawlor a £100,000 house for £80,000. He also furnished it at a cost of £5,000. Mr Lawlor's daughter moved in early and there was a lot of "hassle" before the sale closed "at the 11th hour".

In 1999, Mr Lawlor began legal proceedings to claim a 20 per cent share of one of Mr Ross's companies, but these were rejected by the Supreme Court two years ago.

Mr Lawlor declined to comment on the allegations made by Mr Ross yesterday.

Speaking from New York, he said he had been unaware until Tuesday that Mr Ross was giving evidence.

He said it was "very peculiar" that his evidence was being taken when he, Mr Lawlor, was out of the country and when the tribunal was dealing with the Jackson Way module.