Lawlor threatened with High Court over failure to comply

The former Fianna Fail TD, Mr Liam Lawlor has been given one last chance to comply with the Mahon tribunal or face a return to the High Court.

The tribunal chairman, Judge Alan Mahon, said this afternoon the three judge panel had come to the conclusion that Mr Lawlor had "failed to a significant degree" to comply with an order of discovery made in March 2002.

He said the tribunal was satisfied this failure warranted sending Mr Lawlor to the High Court again but had decided to defer its decision until next Thursday, July 31st.

Mr Lawlor has been given until the close of business next Tuesday to submit a sworn affidavit to the tribunal.

Judge Mahon also said the tribunal had found Mr Lawlor's claims he was unable to comply with the orders due to his inability to pay solicitor's fees was "without foundation" as he has "substantial funds available to him" in a variety of offshore bank accounts.

Mr Lawlor asked the tribunal for an "elaboration" of exactly what matters it wanted him to clarify.

"Mr Lawlor, you've had two and a half weeks of evidence, I think you should know," Judge Mahon answered. He also refused to grant Mr Lawlor extra time to complete the affidavit.

Speaking to reporters outside the tribunal, Mr Lawlor insisted he would "endeavor to facilitate the tribunal" as he had always done.

The former Dublin West TD has been jailed for a total of six weeks on three separate occasions for failure to comply with the tribunal.