Lawlor set to begin longest prison term for a TD in 60 years

Mr Liam Lawlor is set to begin the longest prison sentence imposed on a TD in over 60 years when he enters Mountjoy jail today. This will be his third term of imprisonment in 13 months.

On his last full day of freedom for a month, the West Dublin TD yesterday made a flurry of allegations against Opposition politicians. He claimed certain TDs were under investigation by the Flood tribunal as a result of information he had provided.

Earlier, after consulting with his lawyers, he had decided not to appeal the sentence imposed on him by the High Court last week for failing to co-operate with the tribunal.

Under the court order, Mr Lawlor is required to present himself at Mountjoy jail by 12 noon today. On previous occasions, he presented himself to a Garda station, from where he was transported to the prison. From today, he is required to spend 28 full days in the prison.

As in January, he will be housed in a single cell in the basement in B-wing in the main prison. This floor is used for sex offenders, difficult prisoners and those segregated for their own safety. Inmates have in-cell sanitation and televisions.

Mr Lawlor denied that a factor in his decision not to appeal was the possibility that the court could impose an even higher sentence than the one he starts today.

He told The Irish Times he hoped to use the time in jail to prepare documents for the tribunal. He would be asking the prison authorities to accommodate him by providing whatever facilities they could to achieve this end.

Mr Lawlor said he had "no complaint" about Mr Justice Smyth's finding that he had not complied with the tribunal. However, the reason for his non-compliance was "innocent".

"I accept my medicine. There'll be another day to deal with these matters."

Asked if he was depressed at the thought of spending a month in jail, he replied: "Depression is not in my make-up."

Mr Lawlor said he had sought to place in the Dáil library a list of the people to whom he had written for information and from whom he had received payments. There was "plenty of ammo" in it. "The people who are making speeches against me will want to watch out."

He informed the tribunal of his intention, but was told this would be unacceptable, he said. As a result, he had not filed the document in the Dáil.

The governor of Mountjoy jail, Mr John Lonergan, said Mr Lawlor would receive no special treatment. The prison authorities were required to keep contempt prisoners separate from others. Because the prison population had dropped by a half in recent years, there was no longer any compulsory sharing of cells.

Asked about Mr Lawlor's request that he be able to liaise with his office regarding documentation for the tribunal, Mr Lonergan said there was some flexibility in the availablility of communications and prison facilities. Any request would be dealt with on its merits.

Mr Lawlor claimed yesterday that tabloid newspapers had offered five-figure sums to prison staff in exchange for a picture of him "behind bars" during his last stay in Mountjoy. Mr Lonergan said he was aware of such a "rumour" but he said no formal complaint had been made by staff.