Tribunal `concerned' over new Lawlor files

The Flood tribunal has received another 150 folders of documents from the Dublin West TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, but still has "outstanding…

The Flood tribunal has received another 150 folders of documents from the Dublin West TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, but still has "outstanding concerns", the High Court was told.

Earlier this year the TD spent seven days in jail and was fined £10,000, with costs estimated at nearly £200,000, for failing to supply the tribunal with financial records.

When the case was before the High Court in early May, Mr Justice Smyth was told that Mr Lawlor had provided a large number of documents and the case had been adjourned until yesterday to allow tribunal lawyers to examine them.

Mr Brian Murray, for the tribunal, said that his clients had now had an opportunity to review the extensive discovery, but there were a number of outstanding concerns.

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Lawyers for Mr Lawlor had not been advised what those concerns were and, Mr Murray suggested, a period should be allowed for them to be detailed on affidavit, and for Mr Lawlor to then respond.

Mr Timothy Sheehan, for Mr Lawlor, said he had no objection to this. Prior to the affidavit of discovery from Mr Lawlor's side, a number of letters had been sent to third parties, counsel added.

Subsequent to Mr Lawlor's affidavit of May 11th last, more documents had been sent and a further affidavit had been prepared, Mr Sheehan said. Mr Lawlor had no power to make third parties respond, counsel added. He could only make a request.

Nine separate parties - some in Ireland and some in the Czech Republic - had responded with some 200 pages.

Adjourning the case until July 20th, Mr Justice Smyth said the matter ought not be let drift. The fact that some information had not become available to the tribunal until May required explanation.