Tribunal stands down Lawlor from witness box

Former Fianna Fáil TD Mr Liam Lawlor has been stood down from the witness box at the Mahon tribunal.

Mr Lawlor had been called back this morning to face further questioning about the Carrickmines module of the inquiry. It was expected his evidence would continue until the end of the week.

However, Mr Des O'Neill, SC for the tribunal, said he had reviewed the transcripts from yesterday's proceedings and decided not to question Mr Lawlor further on the matter.

Mr Lawlor would be afforded the opportunity in the future to respond to any allegations against him that may arise in further evidence about this element of the tribunal's inquiry, Mr O'Neill added. Mr Lawlor is due back at the tribunal next month to address the issue of costs.

The Carrickmines module relates to efforts to rezone 108 acres of land in south county Dublin in the early 1990s. This land was owned by Paisley Park Investments and subsequently by Jackson Way Properties.

Former Government press secretary Mr Frank Dunlop has claimed he was given £25,000 by one of the owners of Paisley Park, Mr Jim Kennedy, to bribe councillors to secure their votes on rezoning motions concerning the land.

He claimed in evidence to the tribunal last December that Mr Lawlor told him there was a "system" operating within the council whereby members would have to be paid off by any developer seeking to secure favourable decisions. Mr Dunlop also said Mr Lawlor indicated to him which councillors he should approach with offers of money.

Yesterday, Mr Lawlor described the lobbyist's testimony as "staggering" and denied any involvement in paying off councillors. He insisted he had no knowledge of bribery, which was "abhorrent" to him. He said anyone who attempted to pay him for his support would "get short shrift".