THE WIDOW of the late Liam Lawlor TD is unable to afford ongoing legal representation at the Mahon tribunal, the High Court heard yesterday.
Martin Giblin SC, for Hazel Lawlor, said her late husband’s estate potentially faces a legal bill of €600,000 arising out of contempt proceedings brought against Mr Lawlor by the tribunal for failing to comply with orders of discovery.
Counsel was making submissions in continuing proceedings by Mrs Lawlor, Somerton House Lucan, Co Dublin, for declarations that the tribunal may not make findings of serious misconduct against her or her late husband unless supported by evidence proven beyond doubt or beyond reasonable doubt.
She also wants orders directing the tribunal to make all necessary financial arrangements to enable her to engage effective legal representation for herself during proceedings before the tribunal. She claims failure to provide such financial arrangements violates her right to fair procedures and to protection and vindication of the good names of herself, her husband and family.
Mrs Lawlor, who is a witness in the Quarryvale II module of the tribunal, applied for and was granted limited representation by Judge Alan Mahon in November 2005. Her involvement is limited to providing evidence to the tribunal in relation to lodgements made to her personal accounts between 1991 and 1995.
Yesterday, Mr Giblin said it was plain to see Mrs Lawlor did not have the legal skills to represent herself and could not afford to pay for ongoing legal representation at the tribunal.
The case continues next week.
