Russian police today started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of former Fianna Fail TD Liam Lawlor.
Mr Lawlor died when the black Mercedes he was travelling in crashed 23 km from Moscow city centre at 1am local time yesterday. The male driver of the car also died.
A Ukranian woman, a back seat passenger, was hurt but not as seriously as reported initially. Her relationship to Mr Lawlor is, as yet, unknown.
Reacting to reports today that the woman in the car is a prostitute, Mr Lawlor's family this afternoon said in a statement: "At this time of mourning it is deeply distressing that such hurtful allegations should be made in this way without checking their veracity."
It is believed Mr Lawlor was travelling in the front passenger seat when the crash happened on the Leningradskoye highway, which is the main road from Sheremetyevo Airport into the city centre.
An inquest into the death is to open in Russia tomorrow morning. However, it will take place in the town of Skhodnya 40 km outside the capital because of the location of the crash. Mr Lawlor's body has also been taken to a morgue in this district.
Police have impounded the Mercedes while they investigate how the car managed to spin out of control on the wide and straight stretch of road. It is understood a statement has been taken from the Ukranian woman who was in the car. Mr Lawlor's body is expected to be flown home to Dublin early next week, with the funeral taking place at the end of the week.
At home, tributes were paid to the colourful politician when his death became known.
Speaking from the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Killarney yesterday afternoon, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was shocked to learn the news.
In a statement he said: "I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to his wife Hazel, his children, extended family and friends."
"I have known Liam Lawlor since we were both first elected to Dáil Éireann in the General Election of 1977.
"Liam was an engaging, witty and a larger than life character. He was also a man with a keen intellect and strong views that he was never afraid to articulate trenchantly.
"Outside the rough and tumble of political activity, he was extremely popular with his parliamentary colleagues across the political boards.
"At this difficult time, my thoughts are with Hazel and all Liam's family."
Tánaiste Mary Harney expressed her "sincere sympathy" to Mr Lawlor's family.
"To lose his life in an accident so far from home, represents a terrible tragedy for his family and friends," she said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny expressed his "deepest sympathy" to Mr Lawlor's family. "On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I extend my deepest sympathy to Liam Lawlor's wife Hazel and their children," he said.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent expressed his "deepest sympathy" to Mr Lawlor's family and friends.
"Although in recent years he was known for controversy, Liam Lawlor was always personable in the Dáil and took trouble to see what topics were of interest to new TDs which he would then introduce into any conversation.
"He generally liked to discuss Sellafield whenever I met him.
"I wish to extend my sympathies to his widow Hazel, his children, family and friends at their sudden and sad loss."
Labour senator Joanna Tuffy said Mr Lawlor was "a diligent representative of the people of this area for many years".
"He was also invariably courteous in his dealings with other public representatives in the area. I want to extend my sympathy to Liam's widow, Hazel, his family and his friends on their sad loss."
Mr Justice Feargus Flood who chaired over the planning tribunal when Mr Lawlor gave his evidence, said Mr the former politician a larger-than-life character.
"The death of anybody who you know is a very sad event and I would like to convey my condolences to his family who must be in a deep state of shock.
"I think he was a larger-than-life character and had his own agenda, and I'm not sure my agenda and his were on the same track, and I think that's probably the reality of that," he said.
Controversial 27-year career in politics
Mr Lawlor has led a controversial 27-year career in politics and has even served time in jail for his refusal to co-operate with the Planning tribunal.
He resigned from Fianna Fáil in March 2000 following an internal party investigation into planning corruption, but continued to support the party in the Dáil. He did not not seek re-election as a TD in the last general election in 2002.
Born in October in Dublin in 1945, he was educated at Synge Street CBS and the College of Technology.
He was elected to the Dail in 1977, lost his seat in 1981, won it again in February 1982, but lost it yet again in November 1982. He was re-elected in 1987. Mr Lawlor's controversial appearances at the Planning Tribunal saw regular conflicts with the inquiry.
Mr Lawlor always denied claims by developer Tom Gilmartin that Mr Lawlor sought £100,000 from him in return for his support for the rezoning, as well as demanding the same amount for the assistant Dublin city and county manager George Redmond.
He also denied a claim that he sought a 20 per cent stake in Mr Gilmartin's projects in return for his support on Quarryvale.
Mr Lawlor is survived by his wife Hazel, three sons, who live in the United States, and a daughter.
