The Flood tribunal has asked the High Court to order that payment of a bill for some €430,000, due by former Fianna Fáil TD Liam Lawlor to the tribunal in legal fees, be enforced by the sale of lands owned by Mr Lawlor or an order for possession of those lands.
Mr Lawlor has been issued with a summons to answer the tribunal's application and yesterday the Master of the High Court adjourned the matter to October 17th.
Last December, the Taxing Master gave judgment against Mr Lawlor of Somerton, Lucan, Co Dublin, for a total of €630,000. The award was in respect of fees for barristers and solicitors incurred by the Flood tribunal during various High Court applications regarding Mr Lawlor's appearances before the tribunal.
Some of the High Court proceedings resulted in Mr Lawlor having to spend three separate periods in prison for not co-operating with the tribunal. He was jailed for one week in early 2001, a further week in 2002 and for one month in February 2002.
The tribunal's current claim is for a declaration that the payment of six separate bills of costs totalling over €430,000 to date, with interest, stands "well charged" on Mr Lawlor's interest in certain registered lands which are not identified in the summonses.
The legal documents ask the High Court to order that payment of the monies be enforced by the sale of the lands and/or for the appointment of a receiver and/or both by the sale of such lands. If necessary, the tribunal is also asking that the court grant an order for the possession of the lands.