The family of Liam Lawlor has hit out at certain sections of the media today for their coverage of the former Fianna Fail TD's death in Russia yesterday.
In a statement issued from Mr Lawlor's office in Lucan, the family said it regretted having to face a "barrage of inaccurate, reckless and vindictive coverage" on Mr Lawlor's death.
Mr Lawlor died in the early hours of yesterday morning as he travelled on a main road into Moscow. The driver of the black Mercedes also died in the crash but a Ukranian woman travelling in the back of the car survived.
The family said allegations in some newspapers this morning that she is a prostitute were "hurtful" and it was "deeply shocking and distressing" that they were made "without checking their veracity".
"The family ask that the media reflect on their coverage and allow them space to cope with their loss," the statement concluded.
