Garda helicopter halts Lawlor's tribunal hearing

Mr Liam Lawlor's evidence at the planning tribunal was halted today because of the interference of a low-flying Garda helicopter…

Mr Liam Lawlor's evidence at the planning tribunal was halted today because of the interference of a low-flying Garda helicopter.

The former Fianna Fáil West Dublin TD this morning begun his defence against accusations he deliberately tried to mislead the tribunal over the sale of an acre of land adjacent to his Lucan home.

Mr Lawlor resumed his evidence to the inquiry at 2.00 p.m. but this was abndoned after 20 minutes as he could not be heard over the noise of the helicopter.

Tribunal authorities, investigating the reason for the presence of the aircraft, halted proceedings for approximately fifteen minutes.

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A Garda spokesman said he could not comment on the incident, saying the movements of Garda helicopters were an operational matter.