Liam Lawlor dies in car crash outside Moscow

Former Fianna Fáil TD Liam Lawlor (60) has died in a car crash in Russia.

The Irish embassy in Moscow confirmed an Irish citizen had been killed on the main road from Sheremetyevo Airport into the capital Moscow. The single-car crash happened early this morning, Moscow time.

It is believed the car hit a bollard as Mr Lawlor travelled into Moscow on a business trip. The driver of the car, a local man, was also killed. A Ukranian woman, who was a passenger in the car, was seriously injured.

Mr Lawlor is survived by his wife Hazel, three sons, who live in the United States, and a daughter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it and the Irish embassy were providing consular assistance to the family of an Irish citizen killed in the car crash overnight.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was shocked to learn of Mr Lawlor's death. In a statement issued from the Fianna Fáil ardfheis in Killarney, Mr Ahern 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.

Mr Lawlor in his constituency office behind his Lucan house in 2002

"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. In a statement, she said: "To lose his life in an accident so far from home, represents a terrible tragedy for his family and friends."

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 spent a week of a three-month long sentence in prison in January 2001 and another week in August of that year. He spent another spell behind bars in February 2002 for failing to comply with the orders of the tribunal.

He initially refused to go before the planning tribunal, but later admitted to receiving payments from lobbyist Frank Dunlop.

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.

The Lucan man 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.

He had given notice of his intention to pursue legal proceedings against the tribunal. Mr Lawlor, featured in virtually every current line of inquiry of the inquiry, which is now chaired by Judge Alan Mahon.

In relation to Mr Lawlor it was carrying out a series of inter-related investigations into his land dealings around Lucan, West Dublin. One of those dealings concerns the rezoning of lands at Quarryvale to build a shopping centre.

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.