The jailing of Mr Liam Lawlor may create difficulties for him in travelling abroad, particularly to the US, where he has family, and the Czech Republic, where he had business interests. However, the US does not automatically bar entry to people who have been in trouble with the law, according to the US embassy in Dublin. A spokeswoman said it was not policy to comment on individual cases.
The application form for a US visa includes a series of questions targeted at particular categories who "may not be issued" with a visa unless a waiver is obtained in advance. These include drug users, members of "terrorist organisations", prostitutes and Nazi war criminals.
This section also asks: "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offence or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other such legal action?"
Applicants who tick "yes" are not automatically deemed ineligible for a visa, according to the embassy spokeswoman. They are required to make a personal application at the embassy or attach a statement of facts in their case. Since last year short-stay visitors to the US from Ireland do not require a visa; however, the same restrictions regarding criminal records apply.
According to the Czech embassy, anyone wishing to stay longer than 90 days or who has business dealings in the republic is required to submit documents showing that he or she has no criminal record. Irish citizens do not require a visa for shorter stays and no checks on their legal status are carried out.
Mr Lawlor is a regular visitor to the Czech Republic, where he holds a one-third share in The Irish Consortium, a property consultancy based in Prague. The Flood tribunal is scheduled to resume next Wednesday, the day Mr Lawlor is due to be released from Mountjoy. However, it is not expected that the West Dublin TD will be called to give evidence immediately.
Also coinciding with Mr Lawlor's release next Wednesday is the High Court's decision in a case involving the tribunal and the solicitor for a company it is investigating, Jackson Way Properties. Mr Lawlor told a Fianna Fail inquiry last May that he had no knowledge of Jackson Way, which has links to his one-time business associate, Mr Jim Kennedy.
